Saudi Arabia’s newly appointed ambassador to the Maldives, Yahya Hassan Alhqahtani, presented his letter of credence to President Mohamed Muizzu on Sunday.

The official ceremony was held at the President’s Office, where Ambassador Alhqahtani was welcomed with a traditional procession.

During the meeting, President Mohamed Muizzu and the newly appointed Saudi ambassador discussed ways to deepen bilateral ties and expand cooperation, the President’s Office said in a press release. Muizzu thanked Saudi Arabia for its continued support and said relations had grown stronger under the leadership of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

President Muizzu also thanked the Kingdom for including the Maldives in the Makkah Route Initiative, which streamlines Hajj travel procedures for Maldivian pilgrims.

Ambassador Alhqahtani affirmed Saudi Arabia’s commitment to further strengthening diplomatic ties with the Maldives.

Diplomatic relations between the Maldives and Saudi Arabia were formally established on 17 March 1981.