Foreign Minister Abdulla Khaleel met the United Arab Emirates’ Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan on Monday as part of his ongoing visit to the Gulf nation.
Khaleel conveyed greetings from President Mohamed Muizzu to UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and expressed gratitude for the UAE’s “unwavering support for the Maldives’ development and progress over the decades,” the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
The talks covered various aspects of bilateral relations, focusing on cooperation in “renewable energy, fisheries, trade, tourism and connectivity,” with both sides reaffirming their commitment to explore “new avenues of collaboration,” the statement said.
Khaleel briefed Sheikh Abdullah on the Maldives’ fiscal reform agenda and key development initiatives. He also acknowledged the UAE’s support through the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD), highlighting its role in projects such as the expansion of Velana International Airport.
Sheikh Abdullah expressed the UAE’s commitment to “deepening ties with the Maldives and furthering shared aspirations between the two countries,” the statement added.
The visit follows Khaleel’s inaugural trip to India as foreign minister, during which he held talks with Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar in New Delhi on Friday, focusing on regional security, climate resilience, and strengthened bilateral cooperation.