EAM Jaishankar reaches Maldives to reset bilateral ties
Male, Aug 9: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar arrived here on a three-day official visit to reset the bilateral relationship with the Maldives, the first high-level trip from India after the archipelago nation's pro-China president Mohamed Muizzu assumed office last year.
Jaishankar’s trip to the Maldives comes weeks after President Muizzu’s visit to India in June to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government.
The ties between India and the Maldives came under severe strain since Muizzu, known for his pro-China leanings, took charge of the top office in November 2023.
Within hours of his oath, he had demanded the withdrawal of Indian military personnel from his country. Subsequently, the Indian military personnel were replaced by civilians by May 10, the mutually agreed date.
This is the first official visit of Jaishankar to the Maldives since assuming office for a second term in June 2024. His previous visit was in January 2023.
Jaishankar’s three-day visit till August 11 comes at the invitation of his counterpart, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Maldives Moosa Zameer.
Jaishankar is expected to pay a courtesy call to President Muizzu and also hold official talks with Zameer to review the existing bilateral cooperation.
Pleased to arrive in Maldives. Thank Foreign Minister @MoosaZameer for receiving me at the airport.
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) August 9, 2024
Maldives occupies an important place in our vision of ‘Neighbourhood First’ & ‘SAGAR’.
Looking forward to fruitful engagements with the leadership.
🇮🇳 🇲🇻 pic.twitter.com/QTIph7rIEF
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Counterfeit notes worth Rs 2.38 lakh seized in Bantwal, two arrested
Mangaluru: Punjalakatte Police have busted a fake currency racket near Pandavarakallu in Badagakajekkaru village of Bantwal taluk, arresting two persons and seizing counterfeit notes and other materials worth about Rs 7.96 lakh, Deccan Herald reported.
According to police, Sub-Inspector Rajesh K.V. received credible information on May 1 that two persons were allegedly transporting and storing counterfeit currency in a car at Koominadka near Pandavarakallu with the intention of circulating it for financial gain.
Acting on the tip-off, the police team raided the location and detained Mohammed Sameer (28) and Mohammed Irfan (26). Another accused, Rasheed Kundadka, managed to escape from the spot.
Police seized five bundles of counterfeit Rs 500 notes with a total face value of Rs 2.38 lakh. They also confiscated three mobile phones worth Rs 57,000 and the car allegedly used in the crime, valued at around Rs 5 lakh.
The total value of the seized items is estimated at Rs 7.96 lakh.
