MALE, 17 August 2021, (TON): Vice President Faisal Naseem said that India has always been an important development partner for Maldives.

He made the statement in his speech as guest of honor at a reception hosted by the Indian High Commission at Hotel Jen to commemorate India’s 75th Independence Day.

In his speech, Faisal extended warm greetings on the occasion of India’s Independence Day to Indian President Ram Nath Kovind, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Indian people.

He described the decades leading up to India attaining its independence, in 1947, as a long and grueling struggle overcome by the invaluable efforts and sacrifices of great leaders who fought for freedom.

He said that India’s journey to become a leading sovereign nation since then was an inspiration to the entire world.

Faisal noted India had been one of the first countries to recognize Maldives as a sovereign state when it gained its independence from the protectorate status under the British in 1965.

He said “in the long history of our relations, India has always extended assistance whenever we were in need.”