The High Commissioner of Republic of Maldives, Her Excellency Shiuneen Rasheed, in an exclusive interview with The Daily Observer, talked about regional and global diplomacy and geopolitics. She also expressed her confidence that bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Maldives will be strengthened in the coming days. The interview was taken by Shahriar Feroze, In-charge of Editorial Section of The Daily Observer.
Following is the excerpts of the interview:
DO: Warm greetings on behalf of The Daily Observer, you arrived in Bangladesh at a tumultuous time early last year's August, just before the change of government. How would you explain your experiences on completion of your first year in Bangladesh?
HC: Yes, indeed. I arrived in Bangladesh at a very important turning point in its history. Over the past year, Bangladesh has been very kind to me and my family, and we have truly enjoyed every moment of our stay. On the professional front, I have met and held constructive discussions with many government advisers, including the Chief Adviser, and we have been actively working to make the longstanding ties of friendship between our two nations even more fruitful. With the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, we are working to elevate this relationship further. I have also had the pleasure of meeting many locals from diverse backgrounds, and I have greatly enjoyed learning about Bangladesh's rich culture and heritage.
DO: A delegation consisting of 52 members from Bangladesh's Defence Services' Command and Staff College have recently visited Maldives aiming at strengthening defence co- operation between the two countries. Is there any plan from your government's end to conduct joint military or naval exercises anytime soon?
HC: We have always enjoyed excellent military and defence cooperation with Bangladesh. Just last week, the Chief of Defence Force of the Maldives visited Bangladesh at the invitation of the Navy Chief. During the visit, he held very constructive discussions with the Navy Chief, Army Chief, Air Chief, and PSO of the Armed Forces Division on ways to enhance existing defence ties. The Bangladesh military has always stood by us in times of need, whether during the 2004 tsunami, the 2014 Malé water crisis, or the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, given the strength of our relationship today, joint military or naval exercises are rather plausible.
DO: Tourism is the main driver of Republic of Maldives's economic growth, fiscal revenues, and foreign exchange earnings. However, due to several factors Maldives is a high-end tourist destination, does your government has any plan to introduce and popularise low-cost tourism for Bangladeshi tourists?
HC: The Maldives tourism product is very diverse today, though it is globally renowned for luxury tourism. Bangladesh is considered an emerging tourist market for the Maldives and is currently our 15th largest source market. We are keen to increase tourist arrivals from Bangladesh, especially as we have seen a steady rise in numbers over the years.
With this in mind, we have actively participated in the Asian Tourism Fair in Dhaka both last year and this year, promoting affordable guesthouse options on local islands alongside attractive resort offers. Several hotels are already introducing special packages tailored for Bangladeshi tourists.
DO: Due to lesser light pollution and its unique location in the Indian Ocean, Maldives has emerged as a lucrative archipelago for Astro-tourism or Dark Sky tourism. Would you share some in-depths of this type of tourism for our readers, and how it is drawing attention of worldwide tourists in your country?
HC: Yes, certainly. We have seen a growing interest in astro-tourism in the Maldives. Some resorts have already established observatories and installed telescopes to allow guests to explore the wonders of the night sky during their stay. This is a new and exciting way for visitors to experience the Maldives beyond its traditional attractions.
DO: Coupled with the hospitality sector, Underwater Tourism is another sector where Maldives is widely acknowledged. How can our tourism sector benefit and grow with your tourism sector's assistance?
HC: Underwater tourism is an integral part of our hospitality industry. The Maldives is blessed with pristine islands, beaches, and spectacular marine life. Our tourism journey began in 1972, and since then, it has grown into one of the world's leading destinations. Bangladesh, however, has its own unique beauty such as the Sundarbans, Cox's Bazar, and the Chittagong Hill Tracts, which are equally worthy of global attention. The Maldives is well known for its sustainable tourism model, and we are ready to share our experiences and best practices with Bangladesh to help its tourism sector grow further.
DO: What is your take on opportunities, untapped sectors and challenges in our bi-lateral ties?
HC: Our bilateral relations with Bangladesh have always been steady and strong, irrespective of changes in government. Education is one area where our cooperation is flourishing, many Maldivian students pursue MBBS and medical specialisation degrees here, with the Government of Bangladesh generously offering internship opportunities in public hospitals. Beyond medicine, Bangladesh has strong academic programmes in engineering and agriculture that Maldivian students could benefit from, and we are working to raise awareness about these opportunities. On trade, the volume remains relatively modest, so we are actively exploring ways to expand it.
DO: Following violent and unexpected changes of governments in Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Nepal on last Tuesday, this region's geo-political stability is often being disrupted in recent years. In the process, respective bi-lateral ties are often being affected. What is your opinion in this regard?
HC: The Maldives is a small country with significant responsibilities due to our strategic location. We have always maintained good relations with our neighbours, guided by principles of non-interference and mutual respect. While regional instability inevitably has residual effects, we strive to navigate these challenges carefully. Our ultimate wish is for peace and prosperity across the region, as this is in the best interest of all.
DO: Numbering approximately 100,000 Bangladeshi migrant workers in the republic of Maldives, how would you evaluate their contribution to your country? In addition, does your government plans to recruit more Bangladeshis in the near future?
HC: The Bangladeshi migrant worker community plays an invaluable role in the Maldives' socio-economic development. We would not be where we are today without their hard work and dedication. At present, our focus is on regularising the existing migrant population and ensuring that everyone has proper documentation. Recruitment from Bangladesh will certainly continue, but the priority right now is the welfare and legal status of those already in the Maldives.
DO: Do you have any message for Bangladesh people?
HC: I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to the people of Bangladesh for their kindness and friendship over the past year. I look forward to engaging more deeply with the community and working together on productive and impactful initiatives during the remainder of my tenure.
