New Delhi, November 26: External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj Monday met her Maldivian counterpart Abdulla Shahid to "deepen" bilateral cooperation and ensure peace and security in the region. This is Shahid's first visit after assuming charge as foreign minister of Maldives and assumes significance as the ties between both the countries had severely strained under the previous government in the island nation. "Working together to fulfil the developmental priorities of Maldives. EAM @SushmaSwaraj and FM of Maldives @abdulla_shahid had a warm and productive meeting on deepening bilateral cooperation and to ensure peace and security in the region," MEA spokesperson Ravish Kumar tweeted.

Earlier, Swaraj had "warmly" received Shahid and also congratulated him on his appointment as foreign minister. "Harmonious synergy of India's 'Neighbourhood First' & Maldives 'India First' policy. EAM @SushmaSwaraj warmly receivd (received) Foreign Minister of Maldives @adbulla_shahid on his 1st foreign visit to India. EAM congratulated FM Shahid on his appointment as new Foreign Minister of Maldives," Kumar tweeted. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had attended the swearing-in ceremony of Maldivian President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih on November 17 in Male. Sushma Swaraj Meets Russian Deputy PM Yuri Borisov At IRIGC In Moscow; India Looking To Invest USD 30 Billion In Russia By 2025.

Solih, as the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party's candidate, had surprisingly defeated strongman Abdulla Yameen in the presidential election held on September 23. India-Maldives ties had deteriorated significantly under Yameen who was perceived to be close to China. Some decisions by Yameen including imposition of restrictions on work visas for Indians and signing of a new Free Trade Agreement with Beijing also did not go down well with New Delhi.

Relations between India and the Maldives slumped further after Yameen imposed emergency on February 5 this year. India had criticised his decision and asked his government to restore the credibility of the electoral and political process by releasing political prisoners. The emergency lasted for 45 days.