As the first shipment of 100,000 doses of Astra-Zeneca vaccine from India reached Maldivian shores, the country’s Foreign Ministry Abdullah Shahid used language charm to thank India for much-needed assistance, reported Sun.

In a ceremony to mark the delivery of vaccines at the Velena International Airport in the Maldives, Shahid delivered part of his speech in Hindi. Maldives President Ibrahim Muhamad Solih and  Indian High Commissioner Sanjay Sudhir were also present during the event.

“The Maldives extends deep and profound appreciation to PM @narendramodi & EAM @DrSJaishankar for their commitment to addressing the needs of India's neighbours, and for its special regard for the Maldives, at all times,” Shahid tweeted.

Earlier in the day, in a televised address to his nation, President Solih hailed India’s commitment to addressing the needs of its neighbours, and for its “special regards for the Maldives.”

 “As always, India stands strong and steadfast, by our side, as the first responder in any crisis.” tweeted Shahid.

Expressing similar sentiments, Maldives speaker and former President Mohammad Nasheed tweeted, “For Maldives, it is the beginning of the end of this terrible virus. During tsunami, 1988 coup, water crisis, and Covid, India has been our first responder and dependable friend.”

The Maldives’ Health Emergency Operation Center (HEOC) on Wednesday also announced that the country would sign an agreement with Singapore based Astra-Zeneca for the supply of around 700,000 doses of Oxford vaccine. It also said, around 20 percent of the total requirement would be separately procured through Covax facilities.

In his address to the nation today, President Solih guaranteed vaccines to all of the population, adding he hoped to provide it to all for free.