Maldives and Bangladesh reaffirmed their close bilateral ties during a courtesy call paid by Minister of Higher Education, Labour and Skills Development, Dr Ali Haidar Ahmed, on Professor Dr Muhammad Yunus, Chief Adviser of the Interim Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, this afternoon in Dhaka.

Minister Dr Haidar is in Bangladesh as the Special Envoy of President Dr Mohamed Muizzu to attend the state funeral held in honour of the late Begum Khaleda Zia, former Prime Minister of Bangladesh.

During the meeting, Minister Dr Haidar conveyed condolences and best wishes from President Dr Muizzu, describing the late former Prime Minister as a close friend of the Maldives. He also highlighted the longstanding people-to-people ties between the two countries, particularly the contribution of Bangladeshi migrant workers to Maldivian society, and expressed appreciation for Bangladesh’s continued support in facilitating internship opportunities for Maldivian medical students.

The Chief Adviser welcomed the Minister’s visit and reaffirmed Bangladesh’s close friendship with the Maldives. He noted that recent engagements with leaders of all member states of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) had reinforced his confidence in the continued relevance of the regional body.

Minister Dr Haidar extended best wishes to the Chief Adviser ahead of the forthcoming elections in Bangladesh. The Chief Adviser briefed the Minister on the prevailing political situation and thanked the Maldives for its consistent support. Both sides also identified ocean research as an area with strong potential for enhanced cooperation.

The call concluded with the Minister formally handing over a message of condolence from President Dr Muizzu to the Chief Adviser.