India and the Maldives have finalised a framework to promote the use of local currencies for cross border trade as External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar held discussions with his counterpart from the island nation Abdulla Khaleel to improve the relationship.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Friday said India has always stood by the Maldives, adding the Indian Ocean archipelago is a concrete expression of New Delhi's ''Neighbourhood First'' policy.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar highlighted the significance of the Maldives in India's neighbourhood first policy and New Delhi's financial aid to the island nation. Bilateral talks focused on economic and maritime security partnerships,

Jaishankar made the remarks at a meeting with his Maldivian counterpart Abdulla Khaleel in Delhi. Khaleel arrived in New Delhi on January 2 on a three-day visit to explore ways to bolster bilateral ties in several key areas including maritime security,