As part of his official state visit to Singapore, His Excellency President Dr Mohamed Muizzu paid a courtesy call this afternoon on His Excellency Tharman Shanmugaratnam, President of the Republic of Singapore. The high-level meeting took place amid commemorations of 50 years of diplomatic relations between the Maldives and Singapore, an enduring partnership that began on 20 February 1975.
President Shanmugaratnam welcomed President Dr Muizzu with warm appreciation for undertaking the visit at such a symbolic time, expressing his gratitude for the growing friendship between the two nations. President Dr Muizzu, in return, extended his sincere thanks for the hospitality and warm reception afforded by the Government of Singapore throughout the visit, acknowledging the long-standing goodwill that continues to define the bilateral relationship.
During the meeting, both leaders reflected on five decades of collaboration built on mutual respect, regional cooperation, and shared development goals. They underscored the importance of continuing to foster people-to-people connections and reaffirmed their mutual commitment to advancing cooperation in priority sectors that align with both countries’ long-term development aspirations.
Discussions focused on expanding opportunities in human capital development, particularly through enhanced training and education exchanges. Both Presidents highlighted the value of building skills and institutional capacity through collaborative programs, recognizing the importance of knowledge transfer and innovation in national development.
The leaders also explored areas of economic cooperation, with a particular emphasis on promoting sustainable energy production from renewable sources. As small island nations with environmental vulnerabilities, both countries acknowledged the importance of working together toward cleaner energy transitions and sustainable infrastructure development.
Additionally, the meeting addressed the potential for enhancing the Maldives’ fisheries sector, one of the country’s most vital economic contributors after tourism. The two sides expressed interest in exploring new techniques, technologies, and value-added production to strengthen the sector and improve livelihoods. President Dr Muizzu also discussed his administration’s broader vision to diversify the Maldivian economy beyond traditional tourism, seeking investment and partnerships that can support emerging industries.
At the conclusion of the meeting, President Dr Muizzu presented President Shanmugaratnam with a commemorative publication that chronicles the key milestones in Maldives–Singapore relations over the past fifty years. The gesture served as a reflection of the mutual respect and historical ties between the two nations.
The courtesy call was a key engagement during President Dr Muizzu’s state visit to Singapore, which runs from June 29 to July 2, 2025. The visit is expected to result in renewed strategic cooperation between the Maldives and Singapore, furthering efforts to strengthen regional partnerships, enhance bilateral trade, and promote sustainable development across a wide range of sectors.
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