The 5th India-Maldives Joint Commission meet led by Foreign Minister SushmaSwaraj & Maldives Foreign Minister Dunya Maumoon began in Maldives. The two countries discussed cooperation in defence & security, trade & development partnership, connectivity, health, energy, HRD, culture & tourism.

Maldives also extended support for India’s bid for permanent membership in a reformed & expanded UN Security Council. The Joint Commission has proposed establishment of a Joint Business Forum and that an investment oriented forum be part of agenda for 2016.

India and Maldives also signed two MoUs on cooperation between Foreign Service Institutes and on Cooperation in Sports & Youth Affairs.

Maldives

• The island nation of Maldives is south of India in the Indian Ocean.
• In 1968, three years after independence from Britain, the sultanate gave way to an Islamic republic.
• Male is the capital and Maldivian rufiyaa is the currency.
• Abdulla Yameen is current President of Maldives.

Economy

• Industry: Fish processing, tourism, shipping, boat building, coconut processing
  Agriculture: Coconuts, corn, sweet potatoes; fish
  Exports: Fish, clothing.