Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid has said that today it has become even more important to strengthen ties with the international community.

He said this in the statement on the occasion of Victory Day on Sunday.

In his statement, he sad that it is a day to value true friends and partnerships. He added that the invaluable military support of the Indian Government on 3rd November 1988 remains etched in our hearts.

"That fateful day showcased the special security threats and vulnerabilities faced by small States . That realisation made Maldives take up the issue at the United Nations – resulting in multiple resolutions on the security of small states and their vulnerability to external threats. The Maldives efforts in this regard, helped change the discourse on how small States are viewed and discussed in the international security debate," Minister Shahid said.

He further added that to counter the emerging external threats of the twenty-first century, we have become even more aware of the need to build our national resilience, as well as invest in the ties that bind us to the larger international community.

"We shall, with resolute dedication, continue to work towards protecting our sovereignty and independence, through further engagement and enhanced cooperation with the our friends and partners," he noted.