Raichur fort illumination to be completed by end of July
On July 15, Deputy Commissioner Nitish K. and Corporation Commissioner Jubin Mohapatra inspected the preparations.
Members of the team from the technical division of the corporation informed the officials that 20 beam lamps had been installed at a distance of 30 metres each.
'There is also a plan to light up the route from Basaveshwar Circle to the central bus stand, which is close to the fort,' the team members explained.
The authorities intend to make the fort more beautiful with colourful illumination, and also spread awareness on social issues among the people through a sound and light show on national and State festivals, like Independence Day, Republic Day and Kannada Rajyotsava.
Leksa Lighting Technologies Private Limited has bagged the contract to install around 400 beam-moving lights in the proposed areas. The work is likely to be completed in the next 10 days.
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Hindustan Times
5 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
India builds quiet momentum in Maldives
India and Maldives, though not connected by land, share a deep and strategically significant maritime relationship. One that places the Maldives at the heart of India's Neighbourhood First and MAHASAGAR vision. The upcoming State visit to the Maldives by Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi from July 25–26 on being invited by President, Dr. Mohamed Muizzu will be his third visit to the island nation since 2014 but the first visit since President Muizzu took office in November 2023. PM Modi will also be the guest of honour at the Maldives' Independence Day celebrations on July 26, which marks both 60 years of the country's independence and six decades of diplomatic relations between India and Maldives. The visit is slated to hold discussions on issues of mutual interest and take stock of the progress in the implementation of the India-Maldives Joint Vision for a Comprehensive Economic and Maritime Security Partnership. New Delhi, India - Oct. 7, 2024: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu shake hands before their meeting at the Hyderabad House in New Delhi, India, on Monday, October 7, 2024. (Photo by RAJ K RAJ / Hindustan Times)(RAJ K RAJ /HT PHOTO) The visit comes at a time of gradual recovery in bilateral ties. In the initial months of his Presidency, Muizzu's decisions were clouded by anti-India rhetoric that marked his campaign. From his 'India Out campaign' to requesting Indian military personnel to withdraw from the Maldives to the diplomatic row, which was hyped by the media, the relations suffered a setback. And this is not the first time that anti-India sentiments were pushed. The first-time such sentiments surfaced was in 2013 and again in 2020. Yet, relations received attention with Muizzu visiting New Delhi twice in 2024 - first for PM Modi's swearing-in ceremony in June, and then again for a state visit in October, suggesting a degree of flexibility in foreign policy once in office. Throughout this period of diplomatic unease, India maintained a steady and measured response. It continued to disburse financial support, including $100 million through treasury bills and a $400 million line of credit. Additionally, India extended a bilateral currency swap facility worth ₹3,000 crore to help the Maldives manage external payment obligations. These steps were framed as a part of a broader Comprehensive Economic and Maritime Security Partnership, which was launched during Muizzu's visit to India in October 2024, which is also expected to be part of the discussions during Modi's upcoming visit. PM Modi's visit is expected to build on this economic and maritime security partnership. According to officials involved in preparations, key areas of focus will include expanding the reach of India's Unified Payments Interface (UPI) in the Maldives, exploring direct digital connectivity for public services, and designing ways to boost bilateral tourism. India and Maldives have an existing Currency Swap Agreement which was signed in 2019 and the RuPay card services, which were launched with the signing of the agreement between National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) and the Bank of Maldives (BML). Additionally, India has been facilitating subscription of several such treasury bills by the SBI and rolling them over, annually, interest-free to the government of Maldives as emergency financial assistance since 2019. The most recent one being in May 2025 when India offered a Government Treasure Bill of $50 million to support the nation in its fiscal reform efforts towards economic stability. Even for this years' budgetary allocations, India increased allocations for Maldives to ₹600 crores from the previous ₹470 crore. In recent years, India has been one of the top source markets for Maldivian tourism. In 2018 and 2019, bilateral agreements were signed on the facilitation of visa arrangements. Following these agreements, both in 2021 and 2022, Indian tourists ranked first among international arrivals (2020 marked a decline due to Covid-19 restrictions). Also, in 2020, an air travel bubble was established under which over 45 flights were operating per week between the two countries. As a result, the government in Male has stated its intention to attract more Indian visitors, with discussions underway on easing visa policies and promoting joint tourism packages. Other likely topics for discussion include renewable energy, fisheries cooperation, and infrastructure development. India has been a major contributor to Maldivian infrastructure through both grants and concessional credit. The Greater Male Connectivity Project, for instance, is the largest infrastructure initiative India has ever supported in a neighbouring country. As of 2023, India had committed over $2 billion in development assistance to the Maldives through a combination of grants and credit lines. In the past years, two projects have received immediate attention - the water and sanitation project, which exists across 34 islands of the country, and roads and reclamation. While the contract for construction of roads in Addu has been finalised, India has also committed to expanding Hanimadhoo airport and developing the Gulifalhu Port. Security cooperation will be a more delicate topic, but it is unlikely to be left out of the conversation entirely. In the past, India has granted technical support, provided naval or maritime vessels and installed coastal surveillance systems and gifted a patrol vessel named KAAMIYAB to the Maldives in 2019. The advanced light helicopters and Dornier aircrafts were provided upon Maldivian government's request to facilitate the Maldivian army's capabilities. The Maldives remains a part of the Colombo Security Conclave, a trilateral grouping with India and Sri Lanka that focuses on maritime domain awareness and disaster response coordination. India is expected to push for making such platforms more operationally effective, particularly against the backdrop of growing concerns over trafficking, radicalisation, and the presence of external naval forces in the Indian Ocean. This visit also carries important symbolic value. The Maldivian President's Office has called the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations a moment of 'profound significance,' and PM Modi's presence at the independence day ceremony underscores the importance of the occasion. More importantly, because India was among the first to recognise Maldives independence in 1965 and established diplomatic relations. The upcoming visit seems designed to maintain diplomatic momentum during what has been a somewhat sensitive phase in bilateral relations. Over the past year, it has become increasingly clear that while political narratives may shift with electoral cycles, the structural dependencies between the two countries remain largely intact. India continues to be among the Maldives' largest development partners, while Maldives occupies a strategic location in the Indian Ocean that is central to India's maritime posture. The visit's real impact lies in the quieter, cumulative gains. The focus on digital infrastructure, economic recovery, and people-to-people linkages points to a pragmatic recalibration of the relationship. Most importantly, the two sides will take stock of the economic and maritime security partnership, and the latter is very important for the peace and stability in the Indian Ocean region. As both governments juggle evolving domestic and regional priorities, consistent leadership-level engagement could help avoid the kinds of misunderstandings that have surfaced in the recent past and enable the two sides work on mutual interest and benefits. This article is authored by Cchavi Vasisht, associate fellow and Nandini Bhatnagar, research analyst, Chintan Research Foundation, New Delhi.
The Hindu
9 hours ago
- The Hindu
PM Modi's Maldives visit, a turnaround in ties
When Prime Minister Narendra Modi attends the Maldives's 60th Independence Day celebration in capital Male on July 26, 2025, his presence will mark a major turnaround in ties between the neighbours — something that neither side might have foreseen 18 months ago. Also read: Ties in region back in focus with PM's visit to Maldives Although Mohamed Muizzu used the 'India out' plank — taking off on a campaign by former President Abdulla Yameen — for his successful presidential bid in September 2023, there was a notable thaw in the Maldives's India ties within months, seen in the meeting of the leaders of both countries, on the sidelines of the UN COP 28 climate summit in Dubai in December 2023, where they agreed to bolster economic partnership and people-to-people ties. Downs and ups However, early 2024 saw a rapid decline in the relationship again, with junior Maldivian ministers making derogatory remarks against PM Modi, in connection with his Lakshadweep visit, and a shrill, apparently well-coordinated 'Boycott Maldives' campaign that dominated Indian social media soon after, threatening the country's tourism-reliant economy. Returning from a five-day visit to China in January 2024, President Muizzu told local media that the Maldives may be a small island nation, but that does not allow others to 'bully' the country and that the Maldives 'is not in anyone's backyard'. In March 2024, Mr. Muizzu said no Indian military personnel, not even those in civilian clothing, would be present in his country after May 10, 2024. By early May last year, India fully pulled out its troops from the Maldives, meeting the deadline set by President Muizzu, with a compromise of replacing them with technical personnel. Economic support Subsequently, ties saw an improvement, paving way for President Muizzu's state visit to India in October 2024, even as the island nation was struggling with its debt burden and widening fiscal deficit that some feared might push it towards default. After the two leaders met in New Delhi, India signed a crucial currency swap agreement — available until 2027 — with the Maldives for $750 million, to help the island nation tide over its current foreign currency crunch. The two countries also agreed on a 'vision statement' for a 'comprehensive economic and maritime security partnership' going forward. In May 2025, India rolled over a $50 million-treasury bill to support the country bolster its reserves and stabilise its economy. Today, Indian flags have been put up across Male, sources based in the capital city told The Hindu on Thursday, to welcome the Indian PM, scheduled to arrive Friday [July 25, 2025] morning from the United Kingdom, amid considerable social media criticism of the Maldivian government from detractors. Mr. Modi is the first Head of State to visit the Maldives since President Muizzu assumed office in November 2023. 'Hard work' 'It's a question of working hard at a relationship,' Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said, in a special media briefing on July 22, 2025, referring to the positive shift India-Maldives ties. Observing that 'there will always be events that will impact or try to intrude on the relationship', he pointed to the 'kind of attention' that has been paid to the relationship and including at the highest levels. 'We have continued to work at it …we have also been in very close discussions with our partners in the Maldives to provide clarity and assurances about what it is that we want to do bilaterally, and I think the result is there for all to see,' he told reporters in New Delhi. Describing the joint vision for an 'India-Maldives comprehensive economic and maritime security partnership' as the 'guiding framework' for bilateral ties, Mr. Misri said New Delhi has seen nearly half a dozen ministerial-level visits from the Maldives in the first six months of this year. During Mr. Modi's visit a set of agreements across sectors is expected. The two sides are likely to agree on the terms of reference for the Free Trade Agreement that is currently under negotiation. Further, agreements in new areas of cooperation, including renewable energy, fisheries, digital infrastructure are to be firmed up. Prior to Mr. Modi, former Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena and former Prime Minister of Pakistan Nawaz Sharif participated as Guests of Honour in the Maldives's Independence Day events in 2015 and 2017 respectively.
Time of India
9 hours ago
- Time of India
Modi, Muizzu & masala: How Maldives went from 'India Out' to strategic warmth
When Prime Minister Narendra Modi lands in the Maldives on Friday for a state visit, he will be greeted not as an outsider, but as the Guest of Honour at the island nation's 60th Independence Day celebrations. Just two years ago, such a scenario would have seemed unlikely. Today, it marks a dramatic shift in bilateral equations, underscoring the quiet resilience of India's strategic diplomacy. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Please select course: Select a Course Category Product Management MBA others Others Technology Cybersecurity Data Science Degree Artificial Intelligence Digital Marketing Healthcare Project Management Public Policy Data Analytics Data Science Finance Management Leadership CXO Design Thinking MCA Operations Management Skills you'll gain: Product Strategy & Competitive Advantage Tactics Product Development Processes & Market Orientations Product Analytics & Data-Driven Decision Making Agile Development, Design Thinking, & Product Leadership Duration: 40 Weeks IIM Kozhikode Professional Certificate in Product Management Starts on Jun 26, 2024 Get Details Skills you'll gain: Product Strategy & Roadmapping User-Centric Product Design Agile Product Development Market Analysis & Product Launch Duration: 24 Weeks Indian School of Business Professional Certificate in Product Management Starts on Jun 26, 2024 Get Details Skills you'll gain: Creating Effective Product Roadmap User Research & Translating it to Product Design Key Metrics via Product Analytics Hand-On Projects Using Cutting Edge Tools Duration: 12 Weeks Indian School of Business ISB Product Management Starts on May 14, 2024 Get Details "Patience has its benefits; it helps if you don't give in to the compulsion and expectation to retaliate against each provocation," a senior source told TOI. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like No annual fees for life UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo From 'India Out' to strategic warmth President Mohamed Muizzu swept to power in 2023 on the back of an 'India Out' campaign, signalling what many feared would be a souring of ties. His ministers had publicly criticised India and even targeted PM Modi in a bid to play to nationalist sentiments. The defeat of pro-India President Ibrahim Solih further intensified concerns that Maldives—historically a close ally—was pivoting away from New Delhi. Live Events But instead of reacting to provocation, India chose a policy of 'strategic restraint.' PM Modi was the first world leader to congratulate Muizzu on his election win. And now, just months later, Muizzu is rolling out the red carpet for Modi's visit—a clear sign that political rhetoric has yielded to diplomatic pragmatism. Diplomacy backed by development India's consistent and quiet support to Maldives during economic distress laid the groundwork for this diplomatic turnaround. In 2024, New Delhi extended a $400 million emergency financial package and a Rs 3,000 crore currency swap to stabilize the Maldivian economy. Investments totalling over $450 million are already underway in infrastructure, trade, education, water and sanitation. Muizzu himself acknowledged India's role during his India visit in November, stating: 'India is a key partner in the socio-economic and infrastructure development of the Maldives, and has stood by the Maldives during our times of need.' Among the flagship projects is the Greater Male Connectivity Project , a transformative infrastructure venture linking several islands and boosting economic mobility. Masala diplomacy meets maritime security But this visit isn't just symbolic—it's strategically significant. According to report by ET, Maldives and India are expected to deepen defence and maritime cooperation, particularly in combating drug trafficking across the Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean. President Muizzu has declared the drug menace a national priority, and India is likely to offer greater support through naval collaboration and intelligence sharing. Maldives is already a member of the Colombo Security Conclave (CSC)—a regional initiative led by India to tackle maritime safety, terrorism, cyber threats, and disaster relief. The CSC has evolved into a crucial platform for multilateral cooperation, with Sri Lanka, Mauritius, and Maldives as core members, and Seychelles and Bangladesh as observers. Trade talks, treasury bills, & economic integration As part of the ongoing economic engagement, India and Maldives are in talks for a Free Trade Agreement and a broader investment pact, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri confirmed earlier this week. He also noted India's sustained subscription to Maldivian treasury bills through the State Bank of India , underlining the financial umbilical cord that links the two nations. Several Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) are likely to be signed during the prime minister's visit on Friday, covering areas from infrastructure to capacity building. These deals aim to accelerate regional integration and fortify economic stability in the archipelago. A visit rich in symbolism and strategy This will be PM Modi's third state visit to the Maldives—but the first since Muizzu took office. It comes not just as a bilateral gesture but as a regional statement of India's enduring influence, even amid political fluctuations. The timing couldn't be more symbolic—commemorating both 60 years of Maldivian independence and six decades of diplomatic ties with India. By inviting Modi as Guest of Honour, Male has sent a clear signal: despite the turbulence of recent years, India remains a trusted partner in Maldives' journey ahead
