The Parliament's Foreign Relations Committee has approved the appointment of Aishath Azeema as the new High Commissioner of Maldives to India. Azeema, who is currently the Additional Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, was nominated by President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu just yesterday.
During today's committee meeting, Maafannu South MP Abdullah Rifau initially proposed that Azeema be interviewed before approval. However, Kulhudhuffushi South MP Mohamed Dawood suggested skipping the interview, highlighting Azeema's extensive education and experience in foreign relations. The majority of the committee members supported Dawood's motion, leading MP Rifau to withdraw his proposal, and the committee unanimously approved Azeema's appointment.
Azeema is a seasoned diplomat, having served as Maldives' Ambassador to China from 2019 to 2023. She takes over from Ibrahim Shaheeb, whose term as High Commissioner to India recently ended. Shaheeb was appointed to the position in November 2022 and has had a long diplomatic career since 1991.
Under the Maldives Foreign Service Act, ambassadors and high commissioners serve a three-year term.
