In a series of high-profile meetings held on the sidelines of the 28th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP28) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), President Mohamed Muizzu engaged in diplomatic dialogues with King Charles III of the United Kingdom (UK) and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The conference is currently taking place in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE).
During his meeting with King Charles III, Muizzu discussed the longstanding bilateral relations between the Maldives and the UK, expressing his commitment to further strengthening these ties. The conversation also focused on climate change mitigation, with Muizzu outlining the measures the Maldives has implemented. King Charles III reciprocated by pledging his support for environmental initiatives in the Maldives, as per a statement from the President’s Office.
In his meeting with Modi, Muizzu received congratulations on his recent election victory and assumption of office. Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to bolstering bilateral relations between the two countries. Muizzu’s presidential campaign was marked by a strong stance against foreign military presence, especially Indian troops, with an emphasis on sovereignty and resistance to external influences. He later openly committed to the removal of Indian troops from the Maldives. However, it remains unclear whether the topic of the removal of Indian troops stationed in the Maldives was addressed during the meeting.
The dialogue between Modi and Muizzu also underscored the importance of development and economic cooperation, as well as people-to-people contacts between the two nations. They explored ways to enhance these aspects, including establishing a high-level committee, according to a statement from the President’s Office. The leaders also discussed potential avenues for further cooperation in sports.
