Maldives' Abdullah Shahid calls India champion of multilateralism after meeting MoS Lekhi

Maldives Foreign Minister and  President-elect of United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), Abdullah Shahid, on Thursday, expressed a positive attitude after meeting India's Foreign Minister of State Meenakashi Lekhi. 'Very good to meet with MoS' tweeted Shahid who discussed his priorities for 76th session of UN General Assembly (UNGA 76) with MoS, MEA Lekhi. Foreign Minister of Maldives also said that he is confident of having India's support at  UNGA with 'Presidency of Hope' me.

"India is a champion of multilateralism": Abdullah Shahid

Meanwhile, India's MoS, MEA Meenakashi Lekhi tweeted informing topic of discussion which included COVID-19 vaccines, , youth, human rights and environment.

Earlier, UNGA President h lauded India for its generosity in providing COVID-19 support through essential medicines and vaccine availability to or countries. Appreciating  Indian leership, he mentioned that India has provided budget support of $250 million to aid  nations feeling heat of pandemic. "Celebrating India's contribution", he exclaimed furr mentioning that country is so close to island nation in "so many or ways". 

76th session of UNGA- 'Presidency of Hope'

76th session of UN General Assembly (UNGA 76) will commence on Tuesday, 14 September 2021. first day of high-level General Debate will be Tuesday, 21 September 2021. Last month, Abdulla Shahid h paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister  Narendra Modi and held talks with External Affairs Minister Jaishankar on key international, multilateral, regional and bilateral issues of mutual interest. visit focused on his term as President at UNGA however Mr Shahid also discussed bilateral relations and development cooperation with Indian leers and media during visit. A renewed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Indian grant assistance for implementation of High Impact Community Development Projects (HICDP) through local bodies in Maldives was also signed during visit.

India-Maldives bilateral ties

Both nations share excellent bilateral ties and y were enhanced with recent signing of mega Greater Male Connectivity Project (GMCP). It is largest infrastructure project in nation. According to ANI, contract will be inked between archipelagic nation's government and Maharashtra-based construction and engineering company Afcons infrastructure. GMCP will be largest-ever infrastructure project in Maldives, funded under Indian Grant and Line of Credit.