The Maldives has opened an embassy in Washington, DC, marking a significant milestone in the country's diplomatic relations with the United States. The embassy was inaugurated by Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid, who is currently visiting the US.

The opening of the embassy comes after the Maldives and the US agreed to establish full diplomatic relations in 2020. Prior to that, the Maldives was represented in the US through its mission to the United Nations, while the US was represented in the Maldives through its embassy in Sri Lanka.

The new embassy will allow the Maldives and the US to engage more directly on a range of issues, including security, trade, and development. Minister Shahid has already met with a number of US officials during his visit, including Deputy National Security Advisor Jon Finer, Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Samantha Power, and Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

In his meetings, Minister Shahid has stressed the importance of strengthening the Maldives-US relationship. He has also discussed a number of specific areas of cooperation, including:

• Countering terrorism and extremism


• Promoting democracy and good governance


• Protecting the environment


• Promoting economic growth and development

The opening of the Maldives embassy in Washington, DC, is a positive sign for the future of the Maldives-US relationship. It is a clear indication of the two countries' commitment to working together to address common challenges and to promote shared interests.

Here are some additional details about the new embassy:

• It is located in the Embassy Row neighborhood of Washington, DC.


• It is the Maldives' first permanent diplomatic mission in the US.


• It will be staffed by a team of Maldivian diplomats and other officials.


• The embassy will provide a range of services to Maldivian citizens living in the US, including visa assistance, passport services, and consular assistance.

The opening of the Maldives embassy in Washington, DC, is a significant milestone for the Maldives and the US. It is a sign of the growing importance of the relationship between the two countries and it will help to strengthen cooperation on a range of issues.