India Maldives News: Maldivian President Mohammed Muizzu on Thursday expressed his gratitude for India's economic assistance and continuous support. The President, who returned after concluding a five-day state visit to India with his wife Sajida Mohammed, expressed his gratitude to India for its continued support and economic assistance to Maldives, especially in difficult times. In a press statement, Muizzu expressed gratitude for India's economic assistance, which included extending the tenure of the US$50 million treasury bill by one year. This was Muizzu's first visit to India after assuming office at the invitation of President Draupadi Murmu. During the visit, Muizzu held high-level meetings with President Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and several other senior officials of the Government of India.
The discussions were focused on strengthening the friendship and development partnership between Maldives and India, the release said. India and the Maldives on Monday signed a currency swap agreement and agreed to step up development cooperation to build ports, road networks, schools and housing projects in the financial crisis-hit archipelagic nation. Prime Minister Modi and Maldivian President Muizzu also launched the RuPay card in Maldives, inaugurated the new runway at Hanimadhoo International Airport and agreed to further strengthen bilateral ties, which had deteriorated last year. Maldivian President Muizzoo is known to be soft on China and had chosen Turkiye for his first foreign visit after being elected to the top post in November last year.
The two sides also agreed on 'A Vision for a Comprehensive Economic and Maritime Security Partnership', a document that covers various aspects of cooperation. Following the talks, India also handed over 700 social housing units in Hulhumale, which were constructed under buyer's credit facilities of EXIM Bank. The Prime Minister also announced assistance of $400 million to Maldives. Both sides signed currency swap agreements worth over Rs 3,000 crore. This step will help Maldives deal with financial challenges.
The two leaders acknowledged that this is an opportune time to develop a new framework for cooperation to transform bilateral relations into a comprehensive economic and maritime security partnership. It is people-centric, future-oriented and will serve as a foundation in maintaining stability in the Indian Ocean region. During his visit to India, Muizzu also visited Agra as well as Mumbai and Bangalore, where many meetings and programs took place. During the visit, Sajida Mohammed visited the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) and St. Joseph's University in Bengaluru, where she studied.
As the two nations approach the 60th anniversary of establishing formal diplomatic ties next year, Muizzu invited Prime Minister Modi as well as President Murmu on a state visit to the Maldives. Muizzu had won the presidential election last year under the 'Quit India Out' campaign and had asked New Delhi to withdraw its military personnel deployed in the archipelagic nation by May this year. Bilateral relations also soured when Maldivian ministers criticized Modi. However, Muizzu has since softened his anti-India stance and even sacked ministers who criticized Prime Minister Modi.
