US welcomes India 'reinvigorating' its ties with Maldives

Washington: The Trump administration said it welcomes India's "reinvigorating" ties with Maldives, two days after New Delhi announced a USD 1.4-billion financial assistance to the island-nation faced with a daunting challenge to fend off mounting Chinese debts.

The statement from the Trump administration came as the newly elected President of Maldives, Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, wrapped up his three-day visit to India.

During the visit, Solih had called India his country's closest friend and "largest trading partner".

The two countries have also agreed to remain mindful of each other's concerns and aspirations for stability in the strategic Indian Ocean Region and boost maritime cooperation.

"We welcome India reinvigorating its ties with Maldives and note the many positive announcements that came out of Prime Minister Solih's recent visit to India," Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia David Ranz told Indian reporters Wednesday. India, Ranz said, shares America's view of Maldives' critical role in the security of the Indo-Pacific and the importance of offering support during this transition period.

Solih's visit to India within a month after taking charge of presidency is seen as an effort by his government to repair ties with India. The bilateral relations had strained during the rule of his predecessor Abdulla Yameen, who had developed increasingly closer ties with China.

During Solih's visit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said there are "infinite possibilities" between the two neighbours. "India will always stand by you in your government's ambitious efforts to change the lives of the Maldivian people," Modi said.