Maldives and India plant 60 trees in celebration of six decades of diplomatic ties

Officials from Maldives and India held a program to plant 60 trees in Hulhumale’ on Monday, in celebration of six decades of formal diplomatic ties between the two neighboring countries.

The tree planting program was held by the Housing Development Corporation (HDC) in collaboration with the Foreign Ministry and the Indian High Commission in Maldives.

Environment Minister Thoriq Ibrahim, Indian High Commissioner G. Balasubramanian, and HDC’s Managing Director Ali Zubair led the planting of trees.

According to HDC, the program was aimed at strengthening the ties between Maldives and India and boosting cooperation on environmental protection.

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu launched the program to plant five million trees in five years on June 5, 2024, in celebration of the World Environment Day. The HDC has pledged to plant one million trees to support the program.

The event on Monday is part of these efforts.

India was among the first countries to establish formal diplomatic relations with the Maldives after it gained its independence from British rule on July 26, 1965. The 60th anniversary of the occasion saw Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi make a state visit to the Maldives and take part in Maldives’ Independence Day celebrations.