India’s Foreign Secretary Harsh V Shringla on Monday met with his Maldivian counterpart Andul Gafoor Mohammad here in capital Male. Both officials held discussions to further enhance regional trade, connectivity, economic cooperation between the two nations. 

Shringla also met with Maldives President Mohamed Solih and speaker Mohammed Nasheed. President Solih thanked India for starting air bubble service between the two nations after the COVID lockdown, reported Edition news. 

Earlier India has extended lines of credit for various development projects, including the Greater Male Connectivity Project, water and sewage systems, and development parks in 16 atolls.

This is the first high-level visit by any officials of the two nations since the COVID restrictions started in March. Shringla, who assumed the charge of India’s foreign secretary in January this year, is visiting the Maldives for the first time in his official capacity. 

Recently the Maldives witnessed some politically motivated protests over the alleged “excessive presence” of the Indian military in the nation. Protesters were taking to streets showing posters and banners of “IndiaOut.” 

Many leaders, including foreign ministers and speakers, from the ruling dispensations in the Maldives warned against these protests, calling it detrimental to sensitive foreign relations of the country. 

Ties between the two nations soured in the past during the regime of former President Abdullah Yameen who increasingly favored the China as a development partber. The new government came into power in 2018 defeating the former president Abdullah Yameen. 

Relations between the two nations improved when Solih took over the presidency in the Maldives.