US calls on Maldives to continue cooperative efforts to counter extremist ideologies

The United States has urged Maldives to continue cooperative efforts to mitigate the effects of global climate change, to combat piracy, and to counter the rise of extremist ideologies.

US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs, Nisha Biswal, said in a statement issued upon conclusion of her visit to the Maldives, that Maldives has proven itself to be an able partner in these efforts.

The statement reads, “We look forward to continuing cooperative efforts to address the great challenges of our time –from mitigating the effects of global climate change, to combating piracy, to countering the rise of extremist ideologies. Maldives has proven itself to be an able partner in these efforts, and has great potential to serve as a model of a democratic and tolerant Muslim society that can have enormous influence on countries around the world.”

Biswal further said that the US continues to support the Maldives’ economic progress, and following the first-ever Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) meeting in October, it looks forward to broadening and deepening trade with Maldives.

Referring to the recent water crisis in Male’, she said that the US will continue to work with the government of Maldives on long-term water production and distribution assessments, and to develop rain-water catchment and desalinization projects to ensure supply of clean drinking water.