Indian Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla, on Monday, announced that India will support Maldives’ Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid’s candidature for President of the United Nation’s General Assembly (UNGA).
The Indian Foreign Secretary made this declaration during a courtesy call paid to Minister Shahid during an official visit to the island nation on the invitation of Maldives’ Foreign Secretary Abdul Ghafoor Mohamed.
Maldives first announced that it has commenced efforts to gain support from UN member states for its bid in April 2020.
Although Maldives announced that the island nation will contest for the position, this is the first time that the government confirmed the candidate as Minister Shahid.
Prior to this, the foreign ministry assured that the administration would nominate one who would be recognised by the UN.
The bid for the UN General Assembly presidency falls under the foreign policy of President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, which aims to strengthen the island nation's connections and influence on the international arena.
Maldives also announced its candidature for membership of the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) for the term 2023-2025, last February. The UNHRC elections will be held in the year 2022.
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