Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra who is on an official visit to the Maldives from 1st of October to 3rd of October met President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and assured him of the firm commitment to the growth of India and Maldives relationship. Kwatra also met his Maldivian counterpart Ahmed Latheef and handed over peed launch to the Maldives Correctional Services, under Indian grant assistance.<br />''<br />''India's Neighborhood First policy and Maldives' India First policy work in tandem to tackle shared concerns and advance mutual interests. For India, Maldives has always been a close and important maritime neighbour. Multifaceted ties between the two countries have strengthened despite the pandemic-related disruptions.<br />''<br />''Bilateral cooperation with the Maldives includes the creation of people-friendly infrastructure – housing, water and sanitation, health and education, ports, roads and stadiums. It also includes maritime security; connectivity and people-to-people exchanges.<br />