Maldives

President Yameen Abdul Gayoom has said that in the foreign policy of the Maldives, the neighbouring country given the highest priority is India.

Addressing the Maldivian diaspora in New Delhi, the president said that India is the country to provide the most generous assistance and timely to Maldives during times of need. He said that several discussions are ongoing with the government of India, with the hope that they result in solutions that are beneficial for the Maldivian people.

President Yameen addressed Maldivian students in New Delhi and said that the opportunity to obtain university education is probably the best opportunity in a person’s life, but it might also be a difficult period in a person’s life. He urged students to improvise and seek happiness during times of difficulty.

He said that slavery is not only about having to ‘kneel’ in front of a government; rather, today, slavery can also result from lack of economic self-sufficiency.

President Yameen called on political leaders to prioritise national interest when faced with differences of opinion, and to resolve such issues through dialogue.

He said that the government’s aim is to be self-sufficient and to fulfil the requirements of individual citizens.

Leader of Jumhooree Party (JP) Maamigili MP Gasim Ibrahim and Leader of Maldives Development Alliance (MDA) Meedhoo MP Ahmed Siyam Mohamed also spoke at this event.

Gasim highlighted the importance of abiding by the laws and regulations of the country one lives in, and urged students in New Delhi to make the best of their education opportunity.

Siyam said that the new government is a compassionate government, and assured that it will assist Maldivians when required, regardless of the person’s location. He said that the President, upon assuming office, has made several efforts in cooperation with the Indian government and embassy to solve the problems faced by Maldivians in India, and that Maldivians living in India will soon enjoy the positive results of these efforts.

Maldivian Ambassador to India Mohamed Naseer thanked the President and First Lady for taking the time to meet with Maldivians living in India.

President Yameen met individually with all Maldivian students and families who attended the event, to understand their situations.

Tomorrow, President Yameen will meet Indian President Pranab Mukherjee and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.