New FM makes first official visit – to India!

Newly appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Mohamed Asim has made his first official visit to a foreign country – setting off on an official trip to India on Monday.

Asim made on the trip upon invitation of Indian Minister of External Affairs Sushma Swaraj, and met with her this Tuesday.

FM Dr Asim meets Indian EAM Sushma Swaraj in Delhi.Minister Asim is on his first official visit to India. pic.twitter.com/biHXgCs16e

— MFA-Maldives (@MDVForeign) August 16, 2016

Spokesperson for Ministry of External Affairs, Vikas Swarup tweeted that Asim’s visit to India reiterated the Maldivian governments trust in India.

India First!
Reiterating Maldives' trust, FM Mohamed Asim meets EAM @SushmaSwaraj on his 1st official visit abroad pic.twitter.com/5ykigc6SCl

— Vikas Swarup (@MEAIndia) August 16, 2016

Neighboring India was one of the first countries to accept the independence of Maldives in 1965, and has had bilateral ties with Maldives dating back 50 years, though unofficial ties were established between the two countries long before.