Saturday
23rd Nov 2024
Dhivehi Edition
Shahid at the airport after returning from New York. Photo: Foreign Ministry
Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdullah Shahid has returned to the Maldives after a two-month stay in New York.
Minister Shahid, on April 23, traveled to New York as part of his campaign for President of the United Nation's General Assembly (PGA).
On June 7, the minister was elected as PGA with majority votes. Indian newspapers accredited his success to support from India.
His team for the General Assembly includes an Indian diplomat as Chief of Staff, which was reported by Indian news outlets prior to his appointment.
The trip to New York set the Maldivian government back by around MVR 3 million. Although MVR 4 million was allocated for his campaign in this year's budget, it is estimated that he exceeded that amount by millions.
The 76th session is set to commence on September 14, after which Minister Shahid is expected to visit New York frequently.