New Delhi: At the invitation of H.E. Dr. S Jaishankar, External Affairs Minister (EAM) of India, H.E. Mr. Abdulla Shahid, President-Elect of the 76th General Assembly of the United Nations and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Maldives visited New Delhi from 22-24 July 2021.
During the visit, PGA-Elect paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister and holds talks with the External Affairs Minister on key international, multilateral, regional and bilateral issues of mutual interest. EAM also hosted an official dinner in honour of the visited dignitary.
PGA-Elect also shared his vision for UNGA Presidency through a virtual public addressed titled “Presidency of Hope: COVID Pandemic and Need for Reformed Multilateralism” on 23 July forenoon at the Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA) premises at Sapru House, New Delhi.
The visit of PGA-Elect provided an opportunity to exchanged views with him on several global challenges that the United Nations is currently seized with. It was also give us an opportunity to reiterate India’s abiding commitment to multilateralism and to the UN’s leadership in confronting these challenges.
India, would be the first country that H.E. Abdulla Shahid visited in his official capacity as PGA-Elect since his election on 7th June 2021
PGA-elect had last visited India in April 2021 in his capacity as the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Maldives. Maldives occupies a central place as part of India’s Neighbourhood First policy and the SAGAR vision of the Prime Minister and the two Ministers were also expected to review the entire gamut of bilateral cooperation between the two sides. The discussions are expected to give further momentum to the rapidly expanding ties between the two countries. An Agreement for High Impact Community Development Projects to be implemented with Indian grant assistance in the Maldives also signed during the visit.