New Delhi, Jan 5 : External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar Today  held a telephonic call with Maldivian Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid, and said both sides recognised the great progress in bilateral cooperation and that its mutual benefits are very visible.

He also conveyed his New Year greetings to the people and government of the Maldives.

In a tweet, the EAM posted:

“Recognized the great progress in bilateral cooperation in my talk with FM @abdulla_shahid

“Its mutual benefits are very visible. Conveyed my New Year’s greetings to the people and Government of Maldives.”

India is involved in several developmental works in the Maldives, including the newest $500 million mega-infra project signed last year.

The infrastructure project, the largest-ever by India in the Maldives, involves the construction of a 6.74-km-long bridge and causeway link that will connect the Maldives capital Malé with the neighbouring islands of Villingli, Gulhifalhu and Thilafush. The project is being executed by Mumbai-based company AFCONS.

The call also comes as the Maldives’ government’s coalition partner Adhaalath Party is the latest to speak out against the growing ‘India Out’ campaign being run by former President Abdulla Yameen after his release from jail.

The Adhaalath Party said the anti-India campaign being run by the pro-China former president would isolate the Maldives on the international stage and cause irreparable damage to the public.(UNI)