The Foreign Ministry revealed yesterday that Maldivian embassies are to be established in four additional countries. 

In response to an RTI request submitted by Mihaaru, the Foreign Ministry stated that efforts are underway to open Maldives' missions in Italy, Egypt, South Africa and Australia. 

The ministry did not disclose when these embassies will be officially opened. 

The government announced two years ago that an embassy will be established in Italy, a leading source market for tourism. Italy has granted approval for this. 

The four countries currently have Maldivian consulates. 

As per the Foreign Ministry website, at present Maldives has 19 embassies and two consulates across 18 countries. 

While there is a High Commission in New Delhi, India, there is also a consulate in Trivandrum, India, to which many Maldivians travel for medical purposes. 

Maldives also has a High Commission in Riyad, Saudi Arabia, alongside a consulate in Jeddah. 

In the US, Maldives has a High Commission in Washington, while the Maldives' UN Office is operated in New York. 

Most recently, this government established embassies in Turkey and Qatar.