Maldives-India relationship a priority, says President Yameen

President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom has said maintaining a good relationship with India is a priority of the new government.

Indian newspapers reported that President Yameen, in a message to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in response to a congratulatory message by the Prime Minister last weekend, said that India’s interest in further strengthening ties with the Maldives is heartening and encouraging.

“I take this opportunity to assure you that I prioritize relations with India, and I am keen on finding ways to enhance the longstanding close friendly ties between our two countries,” he said in his letter, excerpts from which were released by the Indian government on Friday.

President Yameen also invited Prime Minister Singh to an official visit to the Maldives at the earliest convenience, “to discuss issues of common interest."

Upon the President's inauguration, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh sent a message of congratulations to President Yameen on Sunday and assured him of India's full support. "India attaches the highest importance to its relationship with the Maldives," Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said in the congratulatory message.

"As you prepare to take office, I wish you a successful tenure and assure you of India's full support in your endeavour to provide a peaceful and prosperous future for the people of Maldives," Prime Minister Singh said.

He also noted that President Yameen’s success in the presidential election is a triumph for the forces of democratic pluralism in the Maldives and said he is confident that Maldives will move further ahead on the path of stability, peace, progress and development.

In a message on Sunday, the U.S. government also congratulated President Yameen and assured to continue the existing cordial relationship with the new government.

President Yameen takes office at a time when Maldives’ international relations are at a low following the great pressure from international partners over the annulment and further delays of the presidential polls.

Ties with India had also suffered during the last two years after former president Dr Mohamed Waheed’s government cancelled a contract between India’s infrastructure giant, GMR Group to build and operate the country's main international airport.