US SCA's Deputy Assistant Secretary in Maldives on an official visit

David J. Ranz, Deputy Assistant Secretary at the United States Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, is currently in Maldives on an official visit.

The senior US official arrived in the Maldives on Monday afternoon, on a two-day visit.

Deputy Assistant Secretary Ranz met with Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid on Tuesday morning.

According to the foreign ministry, both parties discussed on ways to enhance cooperation between Maldives and the United States “on potential priority areas such as public financial management, rule of law, human rights and good governance.”

RaajjeMV understands that the US Deputy Assistant Secretary will meet with other government officials, as well as members of the civil society.

David J. Ranz was appointed as the Deputy Assistant Secretary at the United States’ Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs in October this year.

Alice Wells, the acting Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of US Department of State for South and Central Asian Affairs, visited the Maldives back in October.

While incumbent President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih was yet to take oath of office, he had just won the presidential election, Ambassador Wells had met with officials from both the incoming and outgoing government; including President Solih.

In an exclusive interview to RaajjeTV, the ambassador congratulated the Maldivian people on a well conducted “democratic experiment.” She had further expressed interest in working with the new government and the people of Maldives.