External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday met Maldives Foreign Minister Iruthisham Adam, who is on her first official visit to India. The leaders reviewed bilateral cooperation and reaffirmed the close partnership between the two countries.
Sharing details of the meeting on X, Jaishankar highlighted India’s “Neighbourhood First” policy and reiterated New Delhi’s commitment to the Maldives’ progress and development. He said the discussions focused on strengthening ties and advancing cooperation across sectors.
In a post on X, Iruthisham Adam said both sides discussed ways to deepen people-to-people ties and further strengthen the longstanding India-Maldives partnership. She added that the Maldives’ “Maldives First” foreign policy complements India’s “Neighbourhood First” approach, helping advance shared priorities and closer cooperation.
Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal also met the Maldives Foreign Minister and reaffirmed the “strong and special partnership” shared by the two nations as they mark 60 years of diplomatic relations.
According to Goyal, discussions focused on expediting negotiations for the proposed India-Maldives Free Trade Agreement (FTA), advancing the Bilateral Investment Treaty, promoting trade settlements in local currencies, and enhancing cooperation in tourism, digital payments and business-to-business engagement.
Iruthisham Adam later said both countries agreed to fast-track FTA negotiations and strengthen collaboration in trade, digitalisation and investment. She underlined the importance of boosting trade and expanding business linkages between India and the Maldives.
India and the Maldives share longstanding ties rooted in cultural, linguistic, religious and commercial links. The Ministry of External Affairs has earlier described the relationship as close, cordial and multi-dimensional..
Published on May 14, 2026