The High Commissioner-designates of Bangladesh, Pakistan and Sri Lanka presented their credentials to President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih on Monday.
The separate ceremonies were held at the President's Office on Monday afternoon, during which President Solih welcomed the new diplomats.
Speaking to Rear Admiral Nazmul Hassan from Bangladesh, President Solih extended his gratitude to the Bangladeshi government's continued assistance to Maldives' socio-economic development, as well as the provision of food, medicine, equipment and medical personnel amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Acknowledging the contributions of Bangladeshi nationals which make up the majority of the expatriate workforce in Maldives, the president also thanked the Bangladeshi government's support to Maldives' worker regularisation, and repatriation programme for undocumented workers. He further conveyed gratitude to Bangladesh for ensuring the well-being of Maldivians residing in the country.
In his meeting with Vice Admiral Ather Mukhtar (Retd) from Pakistan, the president expressed thanks for the Pakistani government's continued support in the fields of education, health and youth development in Maldives.
He further noted his recent telephone conversation with Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan, during which they discussed issues of mutual importance and the countries' experiences in facing the challenges posed by COVID-19. President Solih also conveyed his condolences to everyone in Pakistan affected by the heavy monsoon rains.
Rohana Bedagge from Sri Lanka extended greetings from Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena to the government and people of Maldives. He declared his commitment to strengthening the existing cooperation between the two South Asian neighbours in the sectors of education, culture and health.
In turn, President Solih declared Sri Lanka as one of the closest development partners of Maldives, in particular within the field of socio-economic development. He also thanked the Sri Lankan government for its assistance to Maldives during the pandemic, especially for the aid given to Maldivians residing in Sri Lanka.
President Solih concluded the sit-downs by congratulating the new High Commissioner-designates on their appointments, and expressing keenness to work closely with them to improve Maldives' bilateral relations with the three countries.
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