Maldives, US cooperation ‘crucial’ to promote Indian Ocean region security

The stronger partnership between the Unites States of America and the Maldives, is crucial for promoting security in the Indian Ocean region, says Minister of Foreign Affairs, Abdulla Shahid.

He made this remark during a press briefing hosted following the brief visit of U.S. Secretary of State, Michael Pompeo to the Maldives on Wednesday afternoon.

The Maldives foreign minister and U.S. Secretary of State engaged in discussions on Wednesday afternoon, during which FM Shahid reiterated that the partnership between the U.S. and Maldives is crucial for promoting security in the Indian Ocean, especially in the fight against radicalization, violent extremism and terrorism.

Going on to emphasize his strong belief that the peace and security of Maldives is closely intertwined with that of peace and security of the Indian Ocean, the minister stated that a stronger, prosperous, democratic and a stable Maldives is “integral to the peace and security of the Indian Ocean”.

At the same time, stability in the Indian ocean is fundamental to the security and development of the Maldives, said FM Shahid.

Highlighting that both countries have always enjoyed a robust partnership on security measures which is evident from the joint military exercises that were initiated in the early 1990s, FM Shahid said that the scope and frequency of these exercises have increased over the years.

Further, the minister shed light on the fact that the bilateral partnership between both countries has reached a new peak, adding that one of his earliest visits abroad as a foreign minister during the current administration, was to Washington D.C which signifies the importance President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih’s administration attaches to revitalize friendship and cooperation with the U.S.

Discussions held between the pair on Wednesday also touched down on ways through which the enduring friendship ma be strengthened and long-standing relations, expanded.

Going on to shed light on the negative impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on the country’s economic growth, FM Shahid thanked the government of U.S. for the numerous contributions, including the donation of 60 critical-care ventilators, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) as well as testing equipment that has amplified the efforts of frontline workers in the healthcare system to manage this pandemic better.

Maldives has also requested support from U.S. to amplify the call for a suspension on all direct and guaranteed debt services and payments under the G20 initiative, firstly for the extension of the Debt Service Suspension Initiative G20 countries, and secondly, to include private creditors and guaranteed-debt of countries eligible for it, including the Maldives, said FM Shahid.

He also highlighted the importance the island nation attaches to urgently address climate change which is an existential threat to Maldives.

Both countries have also restarted bilateral trade talks to further commercial ties between both countries and Maldives continues to receive support from the U.S. government in efforts to restore democratic values and rule of law, Maldives also continues to closely cooperate on matters of security, said the minister.