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.

India and the Maldives have finalised a framework to promote the use of local currencies for cross border trade with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar asserting that New Delhi has always stood by the island nation.

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.