Japan honors ex-state minister Khaleel with ‘Order of the Rising Sun’

The government of Japan has honored former State Minister for Foreign Affairs Ahmed Khaleel who has worked the field of foreign service for over 42 years with the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star.

Order of the Rising Sun conferred on behalf of the Emperor of Japan is one of the highest honors bestowed by the Japanese government on people who have rendered distinguished service to the state.

Khaleel was bestowed the honor for his exemplary service in strengthening bilateral relations between Japan and Maldives.

Former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih congratulated Khaleel on the achievement via a post on X in which he noted that Khaleel, among other assignments, had previously served as Maldives’ Ambassador in Japan “during a long and distinguished foreign service career in which he played a key role in forging closer ties between Maldives and Japan”.

Proud day for Maldives as distinguished diplomat and former Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Mr Ahmed Khaleel has been bestowed the Order of the Rising Sun by the Government of Japan.

State Minister Khaleel is an experienced diplomat who had, among other assignments,… pic.twitter.com/dphVYOJPqw

— Ibrahim Mohamed Solih (@ibusolih) November 6, 2024

Former Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid also congratulated Khaleel via a post on X in which he underscored that Khaleel, with over 42 years of service, is one of the most accomplished diplomats not just from the Maldives, but from this region.

“He has displayed a deep commitment to further advance the Maldives-Japan relationship, which was elevated to new heights in the last administration. He continues to be an inspiration for young foreign service officers,” he added.

Extremely delighted for former Minister of State for Foreign Affairs His Excellency Ambassador Ahmed Khaleel, who has been conferred The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star by the Emperor of #Japan.

With over 42 years of service, he is one of the most seasoned and… pic.twitter.com/8wCYDlBldc

— Abdulla Shahid (@abdulla_shahid) November 6, 2024

Khaleel played a crucial role in establishing diplomatic relations between Maldives and Japan.

He was honored with the Most Distinguished Foreign Service Medal during the last administration.

Khaleel has served in foreign service for over 42 years to date,  and is one of the few people who has continuously held many positions in the field, from the most ordinary to the highest posts.

He enlisted in the field on December 22, 1981.

He spent most of his career working for the Permanent Mission of the Republic of the Maldives to the United Nations, and worked there in New York for more than 17 years.

Khaleel also served as the Ambassador of the Maldives to Japan for seven years.

He was then appointed as the Secretary, Bilateral, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on October 3, 2016. He became State Minister for Foreign Affairs on November 22, 2018, and remained in the post until the end of the administration last November.