MALE: Maldives has decided to establish a High Commission in New Delhi and has informed this decision to the Indian government.

Foreign Minister Fathulla Jameel on Thursday (Sept 2) said that though this decision has been taken by the Maldivian government, it was not yet clear how soon the High Commission can be opened.

He said that there are many administrative issues involved such as finding a location, personnel and allocating a budget.

“The High Commission can be opened only when all these issues are overcome. We cannot set up the place so suddenly,” he said.

Fathulla said that he called Indian external affairs minister Natwar Singh on Wednesday and informed him that Maldives has decided to open a High Commission in New Delhi as part of its efforts to strengthen ties between the two countries.

“Singh said that he supported and was delighted at this decision,” Fathulla said.

Maldives presently has only one High Commission, in Sri Lanka, in the South Asian region. Maldives operates a High Commission in London, and has an embassy run in New York at the office of the Maldives’ ambassador to the United Nations.

Courtesy Haveeru