Uzbekistan’s first ambassador to the Maldives appointed

Uzbekistan’s first ambassador to the Republic of Maldives, Sardor Rustamboev, presented his credentials to President Mohammed Muizzu on June 12. The ambassador will be based in New Delhi. This was reported by the "Dunyo" news agency.

Following the official ceremony, the sides discussed the current state of relations between Uzbekistan and the Maldives across political, trade-economic, investment, cultural-humanitarian, and other areas, as well as prospects for further development. Both parties emphasized the significant potential for expanding bilateral cooperation in various aspects of socio-economic life.

President Muizzu expressed the Maldives' readiness to enhance collaboration with Uzbekistan within international and regional organizations, including the United Nations and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, particularly on issues such as climate change, sustainable development, and regional security.

Special attention was given to strengthening ties in tourism and higher education. The parties explored opportunities for Maldivian students to study at higher education institutions in Uzbekistan. They also agreed to consider the possibility of launching direct flights, simplifying the visa regime, and developing joint travel packages.

The discussion also touched on organizing high-level reciprocal visits and promoting exchanges between business representatives and other sectors.

For reference, Sardor Rustamboev is 45 years old. He holds degrees from the University of Birmingham (UK), Tashkent State University of Oriental Studies, the School of Oriental and African Studies at the University of London, and the Academy of State and Society Building under the President of Uzbekistan. He holds a PhD in political sciences.

Rustamboev has served in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs since 2000, holding various positions from attaché to department head. His diplomatic experience includes posts at the Embassy of Uzbekistan in the United Kingdom and at the Secretariat of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in Beijing. From 2018 to 2023, he served as Uzbekistan’s ambassador to France.

He also led the Embassy in New Delhi from 2020 to 2023 and resumed his duties in the Indian capital in January 2024.

It is worth noting that earlier, Nodir Ganiev, the newly appointed Ambassador of Uzbekistan to Portugal (based in Paris), presented his credentials to President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa.