We have always expressed our support to India in every way possible: President

President Yameen Abdul Gayoom has said that the Maldives has always expressed its support to India in every way possible, especially in the international arena.

Speaking at the state banquet hosted by Indian President Pranab Mukherjee in the honour of President Yameen and First Lady Fathimath Ibrahim, President Yameen said that a key feature of the bilateral friendship has been the eagerness with which the two countries have supported each other at all times.

“In every hour of national distress, be it a foreign terrorist coup attempt as with the 1988 mercenary attack, or a natural catastrophe such as the 2004 Asian Tsunami, India helped us wholeheartedly and generously in restoring normalcy to the lives of our people. For our part, we have always expressed our support and demonstrated our solidarity to India in every way possible, especially in the international arena.”

In his speech, the President noted with immense satisfaction, that the two governments have agreed on boosting ties at the bilateral, sub-regional and regional levels, which will enable the two countries to realise their collective developmental aspirations, and contribute to peace, prosperity and security in the South Asian region.

“Our two countries and peoples are upbeat over and expectant of the prospects of accelerated development and growth in the coming years. To realise this dream of a more prosperous South Asia, it is of the utmost importance to promote bilateral trade and investment, develop sustainable infrastructure, establish development finance institutions and work closely on economic cooperation in key sectors of growth, all of which have been landmarks of the bilateral exchanges during this visit”, said the President.