Committee OKs Azeema for appointment as new ambassador to India

The Parliament’s Foreign Relations Committee has approved former ambassador to China, Aishath Azeema, to replace Ibrahim Shaheeb as the top Maldivian envoy to India.

The letter by President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu seeking parliamentary approval for the appointment was sent to the Foreign Relations Committee on Monday.

The committee convened for a meeting to discuss the appointment on Tuesday.

At the meeting, South Maafannu MP Abdulla Rifau proposed bringing in Azeema for an interview. The proposal was supported by others.

But South Kulhudhuffushi MP Mohamed Daud said that it is clear that Azeema is qualified for the job based on her education and experience. He proposed approving the appointment without an interview.

Rifau withdrew his motion, and the committee voted to approve the appointment.

Azeema joined the foreign service in 1988. She served as the Maldivian ambassador to China from June 2019 to September 2023. She also previously served as deputy ambassador of the Maldives to the UK, and in various senior capacities in the Foreign Ministry, including as an additional secretary and joint secretary.

She is set to replace Shaheeb, who was appointed as the ambassador to India on October 10, 2022.

The move to appoint a new ambassador to New Delhi comes as the Maldives seeks to repair and reinforce its ties with India – one of the country’s closest bilateral partners.