Swaraj discusses bilateral issues with her Maldivian, B'deshi counterparts at OIC meet

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj met her Maldives' and Bangladesh counterparts, Abdulla Shahid and Dr AK Abdul Momen, respectively on the sidelines of 46th Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Foreign Ministers Meeting here on Friday.

The Foreign Ministers of India and Maldives discussed follow up to Maldivian President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih's maiden visit to India last year and exchanged their views on the regional situation.

"A close friend and a maritime neighbour. EAM @SushmaSwaraj met #Maldives Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid on the sidelines of #OIC Foreign Ministers Meeting in #AbuDhabi. Discussed follow up to Maldives President's visit to India and exchanged views on the regional situation," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar tweeted.

Swaraj and her Bangladeshi counterpart had a "good exchange" of views on bilateral issues, Kumar further informed.

"Good exchange of views on issues of bilateral importance in EAM @SushmaSwaraj meeting with Foreign Minister of Bangladesh Dr AK Abdul Momen on the sidelines of #OIC Foreign Ministers Meeting in #AbuDhabi. #NeighbourhoodFirst," Kumar tweeted.

Earlier today, Swaraj addressed the plenary session of the conference as the 'Guest of Honour' which was boycotted by Pakistan as a protest against the invitation to India for the first time in the grouping's 50-year-old history.

In her speech, Swaraj said the fight against terrorism is not against any religion but underlined that the countries providing shelter and funding to it must be asked to dismantle the infrastructure of terrorism based in their countries, in an apparent reference to Pakistan.

The minister also underlined that those indulging in terrorism are resorting to "distortion of religion" and giving different names to the menace to justify it.

Swaraj asserted that "senseless terrorist violence" was destroying lives, destabilising regions, and putting the world at great peril as its "lethality" was increasing and "toll rising".

She also spoke about India's civilisational links and close partnership with the Muslim countries across the world.

Swaraj is currently on a two-day visit to the UAE, which would conclude on Saturday.