India-Maldives Bilateral Cooperation Meeting

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal of India met with Maldives' Foreign Minister Iruthisham Adam during her first official visit to India. The meetings focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation, reviewing existing ties, and discussing future economic engagements. Key topics included expediting negotiations for the India-Maldives Free Trade Agreement, advancing the Bilateral Investment Treaty, promoting trade settlements in local currencies, and deepening cooperation in tourism, digital payments, and business-to-business linkages. Both India and Maldives reaffirmed their respective 'Neighbourhood First' and 'Maldives First' policies, emphasizing shared priorities and a commitment to mutual progress and development. The discussions aim to enhance the longstanding cultural, commercial, and diplomatic relations between the two countries, which are celebrating 60 years of diplomatic ties.