H.R.H. Prince Mansour bin Mutaib bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Advisor to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, Minister of State and Cabinet Member of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, who is in the Maldives as the Guest of Honour for the country's 61st Independence Day celebrations, paid a courtesy call on President Dr Mohamed Muizzu on Saturday. 

Prince Mansour is representing His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, at the invitation of President Dr Muizzu. He was accorded a ceremonial welcome upon his arrival in Malé before paying a courtesy call on the President at the President's Office.

During the meeting, President Dr Muizzu expressed appreciation to the Saudi leadership for accepting the invitation to participate in the Independence Day celebrations and thanked the Kingdom for its continued support to the Maldives. He also highlighted the Makkah Route Initiative, describing it as an important programme that has made travel easier for Maldivian pilgrims.

Prince Mansour reaffirmed Saudi Arabia's commitment to supporting the Maldives, noting the importance the Kingdom's leadership places on the country's development and the well-being of its people.

The discussions also centred on strengthening the longstanding relationship between the Maldives and Saudi Arabia, with both sides exploring ways to expand cooperation in trade, investment and other areas of mutual interest. The leaders also reaffirmed the close ties between the two countries, which are built on shared faith, mutual respect and common values.