Play store
Bangladesh and the Maldives have underscored the need to revitalise the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) to strengthen regional cooperation and address shared challenges.
The issue came up during a courtesy meeting between Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman and Maldivian President Dr Mohamed Muizzu in Malé, where the Bangladeshi minister is attending the Maldives’ 61st Independence Day celebrations as a special guest.
According to Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman arrived in Malé on Saturday afternoon, where he was received at the airport by Maldivian Foreign Minister Dr Abdulla Khaleel.
During the meeting at the President’s Office, the Bangladeshi foreign minister conveyed the warm greetings of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to President Muizzu.
He also thanked the Maldivian president for attending the swearing-in ceremony of Bangladesh’s newly elected government in February this year.
Dr Rahman expressed Bangladesh’s appreciation for President Muizzu’s support for Bangladesh’s candidate for the presidency of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
The foreign minister said strengthening bilateral relations with all countries based on mutual respect and shared interests remains a key priority of the BNP-led government under its “Bangladesh First” policy.
Both leaders expressed satisfaction with the excellent state of bilateral ties and stressed the importance of further expanding practical cooperation for the benefit of the people of both countries.
They also exchanged views on recent regional and international developments and emphasised the importance of making SAARC more effective and dynamic.
Dr Rahman welcomed the employment opportunities available to a large number of Bangladeshi workers and professionals in the Maldives. President Muizzu praised the significant contribution of Bangladeshi expatriates to the Maldivian economy.
Also present at the meeting were Maldivian Foreign Minister Dr Abdulla Khaleel, Home Minister Ali Ihusaan, and Bangladesh High Commissioner to the Maldives Dr Mohammad Nazmul Islam.
Later, President Muizzu hosted a high-level tea reception in honour of the Bangladeshi foreign minister. The event was attended by Vice President Hussain Mohamed Latheef, cabinet members and senior Maldivian officials.
In the evening, Dr Rahman attended a diplomatic reception hosted by the Maldivian foreign minister, where he exchanged views with ambassadors, representatives of international organisations and senior government officials stationed in the Maldives.
