The United States opened its embassy in Maldives earlier this year and it is located in Umar Zahir Building in Hulhumale. Maldives also opened its embassy in the US. On the occasion the Maldives foreign minister Abdulla Shahid met with United States Secretary of State Antory Blinken in June. Shahid said that they had a constructive discussion focusing on strengthening bilateral relations between the Maldives and United States.
There was a delegation of each side. Shahid further elaborated the discussions into various important topics to the Maldives.
1. Enhancing greater higher education opportunities for Maldivians to study at American universities
2. Increasing economic cooperation through trade and investments
3. Easier visa facilitation for greater people-to-people contact
4. Stepping up international efforts to mitigate climate change;
5. The importance of collaboration to maintain peace and security in the Indo Pacific region.
Secretary Blinken said on Twitter “Met with Foreign Minister Abdulla_Shahid to discuss the importance of our continued cooperation on economic growth, defense, higher education, and promoting democracy in the region. I look forward to growing the bilateral ties between our nations.”
The close US ally Australia openned its embassy in Maldives earlier this month. This is a sign that America has started to pay more attention to the Maldives under its foreign policy. Australia is known to be in the close circle of the US along with bordering Canada. At present there is no indication that Canada would open any diplomatic mission in the Maldives any time soon.
Under the president Ibrahim Mohamed Salih the government has stated that India is given first priority on its foreign policy. In previous governments the Maldives has close ties with India and China along with European countries and the United States. Giving preference to India has been a key turning point in policy under the leadership president Solih.