New Delhi: The foreign minister of Maldives Abdulla Khaleel expressed “firm support” to India in tackling terrorism in the aftermath of the Pahalgam attack in a high-level core group meeting in New Delhi on May 26.

Maldives is a key maritime neighbour of India’s. Khaleel is on a two-day visit to India from May 25-27.

On May 26, he led Maldives at the second India-Maldives High Level Core Group (HLCG) meeting to oversee progress in the implementation of the India-Maldives Vision Document on Comprehensive Economic and Maritime Security Partnership.

During the meeting, according to the Ministry of External Affairs, discussions focused on the "implementation of the two nations' joint vision by intensifying political exchanges, defence and security cooperation, development partnership, trade, economy, health and people-to-people linkages."

Khaleel also strongly condemned the terrorist attack in Pahalgam in April 2025. He expressed Maldives’ solidarity with the people and government of India and its firm support to India in the fight against terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, the MEA release said.

Khaleel also thanked the Indian government for timely emergency financial assistance to Maldives.

Khaleel also held bilateral discussions with external affairs minister S. Jaishankar during his visit. “Welcome Maldives’ support and solidarity in combating terrorism. India remains committed to Maldives’ progress and development,” Jaishankar is reported to have said after the meeting.

India and Maldives have decided that the third HLCG meeting will be held in Male on mutually convenient dates.

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