The new Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the Republic of Maldives, His Excellency Yahya Hassan Alhqahtani, formally presented his Letter of Credence to President Dr Mohamed Muizzu in a ceremony held at the President’s Office on Sunday morning.
In keeping with diplomatic tradition, the ambassador was escorted from Republic Square in a cultural procession known as “Haiykolhu,” accompanied by the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) Drum and Trumpet Band.
During the meeting that followed the presentation, President Muizzu expressed appreciation for Saudi Arabia’s longstanding support, particularly the close ties maintained by King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman. The President reaffirmed the Maldives’ commitment to enhancing bilateral relations and expressed gratitude for Saudi Arabia’s inclusion of the Maldives in the Makkah Route Initiative, which has significantly improved travel logistics for Maldivian pilgrims performing Hajj.
Ambassador Alhqahtani thanked the President for the warm welcome and reiterated the Kingdom’s desire to continue strengthening its partnership with the Maldives.
Saudi Arabia and the Maldives have maintained diplomatic relations since 1981. In recent years, the relationship has deepened through development cooperation, religious and cultural engagement, and increased Saudi investments in Maldivian infrastructure. One of the key milestones in recent bilateral cooperation was the Maldives’ participation in the Makkah Route Initiative, a programme designed to facilitate smoother immigration procedures for pilgrims at their country of departure. The initiative has been praised by Maldivian officials for easing travel for thousands of Hajj participants annually.
Saudi Arabia has also supported various infrastructure and development projects in the Maldives through institutions such as the Saudi Fund for Development. These include funding for roads, housing, and energy projects across the islands. The partnership has grown stronger under successive administrations, with continued high-level engagement aimed at reinforcing diplomatic, economic, and cultural ties.
Both sides reaffirmed their intent to sustain and elevate the relationship, which continues to evolve as part of broader regional cooperation between the Indian Ocean island nation and the Gulf.
