The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has officially announced that the Australian government has inaugurated a High Commission in the Maldives, signifying a significant milestone in the diplomatic relations between the two nations.
Situated on the fifth floor of Hotel Jen, the Australian High Commission will offer consular services and assist Australian residents in the Maldives, as well as those traveling to the country, in obtaining necessary legal documents. Notably, the Ministry clarified that passport services will continue to be facilitated through the existing Australian High Commission in Sri Lanka, despite the establishment of the new diplomatic mission in the Maldives.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Abdulla Shahid, took to Twitter to express his satisfaction with this development, asserting that the establishment of the Australian High Commission in the Maldives will serve as a catalyst for elevating the bilateral relations between the Maldives and Australia to unprecedented heights.
Australia had initially announced its decision to establish a High Commission in the Maldives in February of the previous year, as part of its strategic efforts to bolster its diplomatic presence in the region. This move is expected to build upon the shared aspirations of both countries for a stable, secure, and resilient Indo-Pacific.
Having established diplomatic ties in 1974, the Maldives and Australia have enjoyed a longstanding relationship. Numerous Maldivian students pursue higher education in Australia, while Australia has consistently provided technical expertise for various projects in the Maldives, further cementing their collaborative partnership.
