The Maldives expressed its “deep appreciation” to Bangladesh for the assistance extended to the Indian Ocean archipelago to face the challenges posed by the COVID-19 crisis, Rajje tv reported. 

Foreign Minister Abdullah Shaid extended best wishes to Bangladesh and its people living on the archipelago on the occasion of Bangladesh’s Victory Day celebration to mark the 50th year of its victory over Pakistani force in erstwhile East Pakistan. 

In a video message,  Shahid noted Bangladesh’s help to the Maldives in form of medical aid, the excellent medical services extended by Bangladeshi health professionals, to ferry our ( Maldives’) students to the Maldives and vulnerable Maldivians residing in Bangladesh to back home. 

Shahid also sent a message of felicitation to his counterpart in Bangladesh and assured him that his administration will keep a close eye on the safety of the Bangladesh community residing in the Maldives. 

Earlier the Maldives’ government held the repatriation program to send back undocumented Bangladeshi workers with their consent. The Government also initiated programs to regularize the majority of undocumented workers living there. 

By the first week of December, the government had repatriated around 9,000 Bangladeshi workers.