King Charles III received President Mohamed Muizzu for a private audience at Windsor Castle on Thursday, days ahead of the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries.

The meeting, held during Muizzu’s official visit to the United Kingdom, focused on “ways to further strengthen the longstanding ties between the Maldives and the United Kingdom,” according to a statement from the President’s Office.

The audience marks a “significant engagement,” the statement added, noting it comes as both countries prepare to commemorate “six decades of partnership and mutual respect.”

The Maldives and the UK established diplomatic relations in 1965.