Maldives, Malawi establish diplomatic relations

Malawi and Maldives have formally established diplomatic relations with the hope to boost the economies of the two countries.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Nancy Tembo and her counterpart from Maldives Abdulla Shahid signed the agreement on Saturday on the sidelines of the 77th United Nations General Assembly in New York, USA.

According to a statement released by the two parties said the establishment of diplomatic relations will pave the way for new opportunities for the two countries to work together.

Tembo is quoted as having said: “The agreement shows that the two countries seek to achieve common goals in areas of mutual interest.”

Sahid said he was pleased that Malawi and Maldives have finally signed the joint communiqué establishing diplomatic relations.

“This will open fresh avenues to enhance our cooperation in support of our shared interests.

“Cultivating meaningful partnerships with friendly countries remains a key priority of the foreign policy of [Maldives] President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih,” he said.

Sahid said Malawi is the 182nd country to establish diplomatic relations with his country.

Maldives, a popular tourist destination, is an archipelagic State located in southern Asia, situated in the Indian Ocean. It lies southwest of Sri Lanka and India, about 750 kilometres from the Asian continent’s mainland.

Currently, the Malawi High Commission in New Delhi, India, mainly facilitates technical cooperation, investment, financing cooperation, trade, social development, and consular matters in the southern Asia State. The Mission also serves as a base for Malawi’s management of bilateral relations with Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Nepal, and Sri Lanka on a non-residential basis.