Maldives and India have discussed ways to ease Maldives' debt obligations to India.

Foreign Minister Moosa Zameer met with India's External Affairs Minister Dr. Subhramanyam Jaishankar on Thursday as part of his first official visit to India.

During the meeting, the two Ministers discusses areas of cooperation between the two countries and areas in which India and Maldives can work together in the International arena, Dr. Jayashankar said.

Speaking to Indian meeting about the discussions, Minister Zameer on Thursday said that Maldivian debt was MVR 60 billion when the previous government took office, but debt stood at MVR 120 million at the end of the 5 year tenure.

"A major part of the debt has to go to India. Maldives has to pay a lot of money. That's why we discussed the issue of debt relief," Zameer said.

Zameer said the current government is pursuing a 'Pro Maldives' foreign policy and India and China are friendly countries. China has been a partner in the development of the Maldives since the past 10 years and China's investment is important for the Maldives.

He further said that India has been a partner in the development of the Maldives since 1965 and it was the first country to recognise the Maldives as an independent country.

"India plays an important role in the Maldives' development. Indian projects are already underway in the country. Both the countries are now trying to find a way to expedite the work on these projects," Zameer said.

Zameer also said that India is the closest country to the Maldives and it has been removed from the list of least developed countries and placed in the list of developing countries with India's help.