MALE, Maldives — Maldives President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu and U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Paul Kapur held talks on strengthening bilateral relations, as the two countries celebrate 60 years of formal diplomatic ties this year.

During a courtesy call at the President's Office on Sunday, both sides reflected on six decades of friendship and cooperation and discussed opportunities to deepen engagement in areas of mutual interest.

According to the Maldivian government, the discussions focused on economic development, investment and maritime security. Kapur highlighted Washington's interest in expanding cooperation with the Maldives, while President Muizzu welcomed initiatives that would contribute to the country's development and economic diversification.

Muizzu reiterated that the Maldives remains open to partnerships that deliver tangible benefits to the nation, in line with his administration's "Maldives First" foreign policy.

The meeting concluded with both sides expressing their commitment to further strengthening bilateral relations and exploring new avenues of cooperation for mutual benefit.

The United States and the Maldives established diplomatic relations in 1966 and have maintained cooperation across a range of sectors, including development, security and governance.