Parliament Committee Approves Azeema's Appointment as Maldives' Ambassador to India

The Parliament’s Foreign Relations Committee has officially approved the appointment of Aishath Azeema, Additional Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as the new Ambassador of the Maldives to India. The nomination, sent by President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, was reviewed and approved unanimously by the committee.

At a meeting held today, Maafannu South MP Abdulla Rifau proposed to interview Azeema before making a decision. However, Kulhudhuffushi South MP Mohamed Dawood recommended that Azeema's education, extensive diplomatic experience, and long-standing service make her a suitable candidate for the post without an interview. Following this, Rifau withdrew his proposal, and the committee proceeded with a unanimous approval from the eight members in attendance.

Azeema, a diplomat with over three decades of experience, will be succeeding Ibrahim Shaheeb, who has served as Ambassador to India since November 2022. Azeema previously served as the Maldives' Ambassador to China for five years and held senior diplomatic roles at the Maldivian Embassy in India between 2009 and 2014. She began her career in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1988 and is considered one of the Maldives' most accomplished diplomats.

The decision to appoint Azeema comes as President Muizzu's administration seeks to bolster its foreign policy engagements, particularly with key regional allies like India. As a significant regional partner, India remains central to the Maldives' diplomatic and economic ties, and Azeema’s experience is expected to further strengthen these bilateral relations.