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Hindustan Times
2 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu calls India 'most trusted ally', hails first responder role
Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu on Friday called India his country's closest and most trusted ally, a sharp turn after the earlier 'India Out' campaign. Prime Minister Narendra Modi presents Bharat Health Initiative for Sahyog, Hita & Maitri (BHISHM) Health Cubes to Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu, in Malé on Friday.(DPR PMO) Muizzu met Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Presidential office in Male during the Indian leader's two-day state visit to the Maldives. Muizzu expressed his appreciation for India's commitment to being the first responder in any crisis that Male faces. "India has long stood as the Maldives's closest and most trusted partner. Our collaboration spans a wide range of areas, from security and trade to healthcare, education and beyond, touching the everyday lives of our citizens," Muizzu said. Apart from appreciating India for its response to the Maldives' crisis, President Muizzu also discussed various areas of cooperation with PM Modi, including development partnership, infrastructure support, capacity building, climate action, and health. PM Modi reiterated India's commitment to support Maldives and its people, as per its requirements and priorities, and for the peace, progress and prosperity of the Indian Ocean region. Both leaders took stock of the progress in implementing the India-Maldives Joint Vision for a 'Comprehensive Economic and Maritime Security Partnership'. Modi reiterated India's commitment to further deepen bilateral ties in keeping with its 'Neighbourhood First' and Vision MAHASAGAR policies. Both countries called for further strengthening defence and maritime security cooperation and highlighted their collaboration under the Colombo Security Conclave. The two leaders also reviewed the economic partnership between the two countries. The Prime Minister underscored that the proposed Free Trade Agreement and the Bilateral Investment Treaty would open new opportunities for both sides. Noting that the two countries must take advantage of the digital economy, especially to promote tourism, he welcomed the recent understandings on UPI adoption, the acceptance of the RUPAY card, and trade in local currencies. The two leaders highlighted that the close development partnership between the countries was adding new value to the already strong people-to-people ties. The two leaders noted that, as Global South partners, they would continue to work on issues such as climate change, renewable energy promotion, disaster risk reduction, and weather science in the interests of the planet and its people. PM Modi thanked President Muizzu for his strong condemnation of the Pahalgam terror attack and the solidarity extended to India in the fight against terrorism. What agreements did India and Maldives sign during PM Narendra Modi's visit to Maldives? India and the Maldives signed six MOUs during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the country in the fields of fisheries and aquaculture, meteorology, digital public infrastructure, UPI, Indian pharmacopoeia, and concessional Line of Credit. The new Line of Credit offers ₹4850 crores (approx $550 million) in support of infrastructure development and other activities in the Maldives. An Amendatory Agreement for the existing LoCs was also exchanged, reducing Maldives's annual debt repayment obligations by 40% (from $51 million to $29 million). Both sides also exchanged the Terms of Reference of the proposed Free Trade Agreement. The two leaders also virtually inaugurated a roads and drainage system project in Addu city and six High Impact Community Development Projects in other cities. PM Modi handed over 3,300 social housing units and 72 vehicles for the Maldives National Defence Force and Immigration authorities. He also handed over two units of Aarogya Maitri Health Cube (BHISHM) sets to the Government of Maldives. With state-of-the-art medical equipment as part of the cube, it can provide medical aid to 200 casualties with in-built support to sustain a crew of six medical personnel for up to 72 hours.
Hindustan Times
12 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
From ‘India out' to ‘21-gun salute' for PM Modi: Downs and ups of India-Maldives ties
Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a grand welcome on the first day of his visit to Maldives, with a 21-gun salute and a ceremonial welcome. Children danced as Modi met with Maldivian ministers and officials at Republic Square. Even his giant photo was displayed on the ministry of defence building in the Maldivian capital Male. Prime Minister Narendra Modi receives a ceremonial welcome & Guard of Honour at Republic Square, in Malé on Friday.(DPR PMO) All these grand gestures point to the turnaround of diplomatic ties between the two countries, because Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu was not so welcoming of India when he was elected to the office in 2023. Also read: 'As ancient as history, as deep as ocean': PM Modi on India-Maldives relations He came to power on the back of an 'India Out' campaign in late 2023. Later, he sought to get close to China. Later, some members of his government made disrespectful remarks against India and Modi. That snowballed into Indians boycotting Maldives, otherwise a very popular travel destination. They cancelled bookings in Maldives and made calls to choose Indian islands such as Lakshadweep for tourism. Indian troops were also asked to leave the island country. Also read: 'Our friendship will remain bright and clear': PM Modi in Maldives However, things again changed when both the countries decided to make a reconciliation and restart diplomatic dialogue in 2024. Here is a timeline of how India-Maldives diplomatic ties turned around since 2023- November 2023: Mohamed Muizzu elected as Maldivian President with his 'India Out' campaign. He makes his first foreign visit to Turkey in December 2023, breaking the tradition of the new Maldivian Presidents visiting India first after taking office. December 2023: Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets Mohamed Muizzu on December 1, 2023, on the sidelines of COP-28 Summit in the UAE and congratulates him on his assumption of office. January 2024: Mohamed Muizzu visits China, in a show to reduce dependency on India. Three deputy ministers of Muizzu's cabinet also made derogatory remarks about Modi and India and were suspended by the Maldives government. However, their remarks sparked backlash in India and led to a boycott campaign, causing a sharp decline in Indian tourist arrivals. January 2024: India-Maldives ties took a hit after PM Modi visited Lakshadweep, a trip that three Maldivian lawmakers had mocked. May 2024: India withdraws its troops from Maldives, which were replaced with civilian technical personnel from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited to operate aviation platforms gifted by India. The troops were withdrawn by May 10, 2024 - the deadline set by Maldives. During this time, on May 9, 2024, Maldives Foreign Minister Moosa Zameer visited India and met his Indian counterpart S Jaishankar. June 2024: Mohamed Muizzu attends Modi's oath ceremony on June 9 in New Delhi as he became India's Prime Minister for the third time. August 2024: Foreign minister S Jaishankar makes an official visit to Maldivian capital Male from August 9-11, 2024. During this visit, Muizzu appreciated India's continued developmental assistance provided to Maldives. The two countries also enhanced bilateral and defence ties and several MOUs were signed. October 2024: Mohamed Muizzu comes to India on his first bilateral visit from October 6-10 and receives a ceremonial welcome by President Droupadi Murmu and Modi. The two countries boost economic ties with the inauguration of a new runway in Maldives' Hanimadhoo International Airport, built under an airport redevelopment project assisted by India, and the official launch of the RuPay card in Maldives. India also agrees to provide financial support of more than ₹6,300 crore to the Maldives to tide over a foreign exchange crisis July 2025: Modi visits Maldives is the first foreign leader to be hosted by Mohamed Muizzu's government since his election in 2023. He said that India is Maldives' closest neighbour and lauded the bilateral relations between the two countries.
Hindustan Times
14 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
‘As deep as the ocean': What PM Modi said on India-Maldives relations after talks with Muizzu
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said India and the Maldives are celebrating 60 years of diplomatic ties, describing the relationship as 'as old as history and as deep as the ocean.' Prime Minister Narendra Modi receives a Guard of Honour on his arrival at Republic Square, in Malé on Friday. (DPR PMO) Addressing a joint press meet with Maldives President Dr Mohamed Muizzu, PM Modi said, 'This year, India and the Maldives are also celebrating 60 years of diplomatic relations. But the roots of our ties are as old as history and as deep as the ocean.' 'The commemorative postal stamp released today, featuring the traditional watercraft of both countries, reflects that we are not just neighbours but fellow travellers,' he added. Reaffirming New Delhi's regional commitment, the Prime Minister said, 'India is the Maldives' closest neighbour. The Maldives holds an important place in both India's 'Neighbourhood First' policy and its Vision MAHASAGAR. India is proud to be the Maldives' most trusted friend.' India to support Maldives on defence: PM Modi PM Modi also assured India's continued support to the Maldives in strengthening its defence capabilities. 'India will always support the Maldives to strengthen its defence capabilities,' he said after holding talks with President Muizzu. Modi added that the growing security cooperation between the two nations reflects the depth of their trust. 'Mutual cooperation in the field of defence and security is a testament to mutual trust,' the Prime Minister said. He also announced a major financial commitment to the island nation, saying, 'We have decided to provide a line of credit of USD 565 million to the Maldives.' On trade, he said both countries have initiated discussions on a broader economic partnership. 'Talks on a free trade agreement between India and Maldives have started,' he said. To strengthen investment ties, PM Modi added, 'India and Maldives will work towards finalising a bilateral investment treaty.' Prime Minister Modi's two-day visit to the Maldives comes soon after his UK trip and is significant as President Muizzu came to power in 2023 with an 'India Out' campaign.
