EAM meets Maldives FM Khaleel, welcomes Male's support and solidarity in combatting terrorism
In a post on X, the EAM also said that India welcomes Male's support and solidarity in combatting terrorism.
'Pleased to meet FM @abkhaleel of Maldives today.
'Welcome Maldives' support and solidarity in combatting terrorism.
'India remains committed to Maldives' progress and development.'
The Maldives FM in a post said the two sides explored ways for early implementation of the Vision Document set forth by their leaders.
'Wonderful to meet my counterpart, EAM @DrSJaishankar in India, today.
'We reviewed our ongoing political and development cooperation and explored ways for early implementation of the Vision Document set forth by the two leaders of Maldives and India for strengthening Maldives - India relations.'
The Maldives FM was in India for the 2nd India-Maldives High Level Core Group (HLCG) meeting held in New Delhi today.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal in a post on X, said the discussions during the meeting 'focused on implementation of the India-Maldives Joint Vision of a Comprehensive Economic and Maritime Security Partnership by intensifying political exchanges, defence & security cooperation, development partnership, trade, economy, health and people-to-people linkages.'
An Indian readout said:
'Foreign Minister Dr. Khaleel led Maldives at the 2nd India-Maldives High Level Core Group (HLCG) meeting to oversee progress in the implementation of the India-Maldives Vision Document on Comprehensive Economic and Maritime Security Partnership.
'During the meeting, discussions focused on implementation of the Joint Vision by intensifying political exchanges, defence & security cooperation, development partnership, trade, economy, health and people-to-people linkages.
'Foreign Minister Dr. Khaleel strongly condemned the terrorist attack in Pahalgam in April 2025. He expressed Maldives' solidarity with the people and Government of India and its firm support to India in the fight against terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.
'Foreign Minister Dr. Khaleel also thanked Government of India for the timely emergency financial assistance extended to Maldives, which has made a positive impact on the everyday life of Maldivians.
'During the visit, Foreign Minister Dr. Khaleel also held bilateral discussions with External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar, wherein both sides discussed issues of mutual interest.
'It was also decided that the 3rd HLCG meeting will be held in Male, Maldives on mutually convenient dates.
'Maldives is India's key maritime neighbour and an important partner in India's 'Neighbourhood First' policy and Vision MAHASAGAR, i.e., Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions. The visit has strengthened the Comprehensive Economic and Maritime Security Partnership between the two countries.'
UNI RN
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
2 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Rahul targets Modi over US trade deal and tariffs, Goyal hits back
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday triggered a controversy as he said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will 'meekly bow' to the tariff deadlines set by US President Donald Trump, in a reference to the India-US trade deal, prompting a sharp retort from Union commerce minister Piyush Goyal who accused the leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha and his party of spreading 'negativity'. Rahul Gandhi Earlier on Friday, Goyal said that India will only enter into trade agreements, including the proposed US Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA), when they serve the country's national interests and offer mutual benefits. Reacting to the comments, Gandhi on Saturday said, 'Piyush Goyal can beat his chest all he wants, mark my words, Modi will meekly bow to the Trump tariff deadline.' In response, Goyal said that nobody took the Congress leader seriously anymore because of the negativity he and his colleagues spread. 'Nobody takes Rahul Gandhi seriously anymore because of the negativity he, his colleagues, and his party consistently spread. They have lost the confidence of the people of India, who have time and again rejected the Congress. Till today, they have not been able to come up with any positive agenda for the development of the nation...,' Goyal said, speaking to the reporters. He further stated that India negotiated keeping in mind the national interests, further stating that the country was self-confident and could compete with anyone in the world. 'India does not negotiate under deadlines; we negotiate keeping national interests in mind. National interest is paramount in all our work across the world... Today, India negotiates with a position of strength; we are self-confident and can compete with anyone in the world. This is not the India under UPA rule, which would beg for negotiations not under national interest...,' he said. On Friday, Goyal said that India's approach to international trade negotiations remains firm and principled. 'It should be a win-win agreement, and only when India's interests are safeguarded -- national interest will always be supreme -- and keeping that in mind, if a good deal is formed, India is always ready to engage with developed countries,' the minister stated. Goyal emphasised that India negotiates on its terms. The minister revealed that India is currently engaged in trade discussions with multiple countries across different continents. 'Discussions are ongoing with various countries — be it the European Union, New Zealand, Oman, the US, Chile, or Peru. Talks about agreements are underway with many nations,' he said. However, Goyal stressed that the multiplicity of negotiations does not mean India is in a rush to conclude deals. 'A Free Trade Agreement is only possible when there is mutual benefit,' he explained. 'India never enters into trade deals based on deadlines or time pressure. A deal is accepted only when it is fully matured, well-negotiated, and in the national interest,' Goyal stated.
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
2 hours ago
- First Post
Modi-Milei talks in Buenos Aires: India, Argentina to boost ties with diversification in trade
India and Argentina have decided to boost ties and work together in areas like minerals, defence, space, energy, pharmaceuticals, and digital payments. The decision came after Prime Minister Narendra Modi met President Javier Milei in Buenos Aires during the first bilateral visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Argentina in 57 years. read more Modi-Milei talks in Buenos Aires: India, Argentina to boost ties with diversification in trade. Image: X India and Argentina have agreed to deepen cooperation in key sectors such as critical minerals, defence manufacturing, space, shale gas, pharmaceuticals, digital health, telemedicine, information technology, and digital payments. The agreement came after wide-ranging talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Javier Milei in Buenos Aires on Saturday night. This marks the first bilateral visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Argentina in 57 years. Modi had previously visited the country in 2018 for the G20 Summit. He arrived in Buenos Aires earlier in the day and received a ceremonial welcome at Ezeiza International Airport. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The two leaders held delegation-level talks after Modi paid tribute to General Jose de San Martin, Argentina's national hero. President Milei then hosted a lunch in his honour. Officials said the two sides agreed to set up a joint working group on agriculture and explore cooperation in drones and defence manufacturing. India also offered to support the maintenance of Argentina's military helicopter fleet and proposed several military platforms. In trade, Modi called for Argentina's support to expand the India-MERCOSUR trade agreement. MERCOSUR is a South American trade bloc comprising Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay. India also pushed for greater market access for its pharmaceutical products, suggesting a regulatory upgrade from Annex II to Annex I in Argentina's pharma classification system to ease entry. Argentina, in turn, briefed the Indian side on its fast-track approval system for Indian medicines. Digital cooperation was another key focus, with Modi highlighting the success of India's Unified Payments Interface (UPI). President Milei expressed strong interest in adopting UPI, especially in terms of how it could help Argentina's central bank manage monetary policy more effectively. The two leaders also reviewed progress on cooperation in critical minerals like lithium—essential for India's clean energy goals. A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed in August 2022, and the first joint working group meeting under this MoU took place in January. India and Argentina elevated their relationship to a strategic partnership in 2019 during the visit of then-President Mauricio Macri to India. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Bilateral trade between the two countries has been growing steadily. Trade volume more than doubled from 2019 to 2022, peaking at $6.4 billion. In 2024, the total trade stood at $5.23 billion, making India Argentina's fifth-largest trading partner. Following the talks, Modi received the Key to the City of Buenos Aires from Mayor Jorge Macri. In a post on X, Prime Minister Modi said, 'Excellent meeting with President Javier Milei of Argentina. We are marking 75 years of India-Argentina diplomatic relations and 5 years since we elevated our relationship to a Strategic Partnership. We have covered significant ground, but we agree the journey ahead is even more promising!'
Economic Times
2 hours ago
- Economic Times
BRICS' declaration likely to include Pahalgam attack
New Delhi: The BRICS summit leaders' declaration on July 7 under Brazil's presidency could include references to the Pahalgam attack and global terror infrastructure, people aware of the development told ET. This will be a boost for India, which is trying to rally the international community toward joint action on terrorism. ET has learnt that after intense negotiations in the run-up to the summit, the BRICS grouping — Brazil, Russia, India, Russia, China, South Africa, Iran, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Ethiopia and Indonesia — has agreed to include most of India's references to the Pahalgam terror attack in the leaders' statement. An official of one of the BRICS member states, who did not wish to be named, said that the group has always found a mechanism to arrive at a consensus and produce a common language or approach on critical issues like terrorism. Another official said BRICS is working on a formulation that conveys its stance on international the recent defence ministers' meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), only one country blocked any reference to the Kashmir terror attack, external affairs minister S Jaishankar had remarked, without naming Pakistan. India did not sign the joint statement and, therefore, the document could not be Minister Narendra Modi, who will reach Rio de Janeiro for the BRICS summit on July 5 — his third stop in the five-nation tour — will emphasise the need for a strong anti-terror formulation by the BRICS in his interventions at the summit, ET has learnt. India will take over the BRICS presidency from Brazil after the Rio Summit. In June, the parliaments of BRICS nations had strongly condemned the Pahalgam terrorist attack and agreed to cooperate on a policy of zero tolerance against terrorism. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla had led the Indian delegation to the 11th BRICS Parliamentary Forum in Brasilia on June 4-5. Besides the Pahalgam terror attack, India's leadership in the BRICS Startup Forum is also likely to be adopted by the leaders. The BRICS Startup Forum aims to promote cross-border collaboration among the member nations through entrepreneurial activities. The BRICS Startup Knowledge Hub was launched on January 31 this year as part of the Startup Forum. The BRICS Startup Knowledge Hub (microsite) is the first-ever BRICS Startup Knowledge Repository, which lays the foundation for multilateral cooperation and engagement among the BRICS countries to develop startup ecosystems. The Knowledge Hub will serve as a one-stop gateway to the BRICS startup ecosystem, offering valuable insights into the entrepreneurial landscapes of the member countries. Besides the BRICS summit, Modi will make a state visit to Brazil, and the two nations are expected to conclude several pacts, including in the areas of defence and is likely to meet other BRICS leaders on the sidelines of the summit, including from South Africa, Indonesia, the UAE, Ethiopia and possibly Iran, besides the BRICS partner countries.
