New Delhi, April 16 -- Maldivian Foreign Minister Abdullah Shahid, on a visit to India, has called for a "peaceful, prosperous and stable" Indian Ocean and added that it is essential for the "stability" of the Maldives.

Shahid, who is on a two-day India visit, on Thursday met with Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and discussed bilateral, regional, and international issues of mutual interest. He also thanked India for its support for the Maldives' candidature for the UNGA presidency.

"We will work with all our neighbors in making sure the region continues to be peaceful," he was quoted as saying by Wion. Calling his country "the heart of the Indian Ocean", Shahid said, "the prosperity of the Indian Ocean, it is the essential...