New Delhi: The Union Cabinet today approved the opening of a new Consulate General in Addu City, Maldives in 2021 “to help augment India’s diplomatic presence in Maldives and make it commensurate with the existing and aspired level of engagement”.
Augmentation of India’s diplomatic presence will, inter-alia, provide market access for Indian companies and bolster Indian exports of goods and services, the Ministry of External Affairs stated today. It added that the move was also a “forward-looking step in pursuit of our national priority of growth and development. This would have a direct impact in augmenting domestic production and employment in line with our goal of a self-reliant India”.
India and Maldives share ethnic, linguistic, cultural, religious and commercial links steeped in antiquity. Maldives occupies an important place in the ‘Neighbourhood First Policy’ and the ‘SAGAR’ (Security and Growth for All in the Region) vision of the Government of India.
“The momentum and energy in the bilateral relationship has reached unprecedented levels under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Maldive’s President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih Solih,” the MEA stated.
– global bihari bureau
