Latest news with #Maldives-India
The Print
27-05-2025
- Business
- The Print
India, Maldives share longstanding relationship built on mutual trust and confidence: Indian envoy
Talking about India's contributions to the Maldives' development, he highlighted the Greater Male Connectivity Project, aimed at enhancing regional infrastructure. In an interview with PSM News, Balasubramanian described bilateral ties as a 'deep-rooted and enduring partnership' and underscored the strength of diplomatic and economic cooperation between the two countries. Male, May 27 (PTI) India and the Maldives share a longstanding relationship built on mutual trust and confidence, Indian High Commissioner G Balasubramanian has said, expressing hope that their ties will continue to strengthen. 'Within this project, the Thilamalé Bridge, set to link Malé with Thilafushi, stands out as a major undertaking,' he said, reaffirming India's role in advancing economic growth through large-scale infrastructure investments. He recalled President Mohamed Muizzu's visit to India last year and said his historic trip laid the groundwork for closer bilateral cooperation, with ongoing efforts to translate the 'vision documents' signed between President Muizzu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi into actionable policies. 'These agreements are designed to deepen strategic ties and drive joint initiatives forward,' he added. The ties between India and the Maldives came under severe strain after Muizzu, known for his pro-China leanings, took charge of the top office in November 2023. Within hours of his oath, he had demanded the withdrawal of Indian military personnel from his country. Subsequently, the Indian military personnel were replaced by civilians. There was a thaw in the relations as Muizzu vowed to boost the bilateral ties with India during his visit to Delhi in October last year. Balasubramanian expressed confidence that Maldives-India relations will continue to strengthen, with collaboration expanding across diplomatic, economic, and educational spheres. India has offered 300 scholarships to Maldivian students, supporting skill enhancement and educational opportunities in diverse sectors, he said, adding that these initiatives underscores India's broader commitment to fostering growth through knowledge and expertise. India has recently signed 13 MoUs with the Maldives for enhancing ferry services in the island nation, with an MVR 100 million grant, expanding maritime connectivity and uplifting community livelihoods. Earlier this month, India extended crucial financial support to the Maldives through the rollover of the USD 50 million Treasury Bill for one more year, a move the Maldivian government said will support its ongoing efforts to implement fiscal reforms for economic resilience. India has maintained that the Maldives is its key maritime neighbour and an important partner in the 'Neighbourhood First' policy and Vision 'MAHASAGAR' i.e. Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions. PTI RD ZH ZH This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
The Hindu
26-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Maldives extends ‘firm support' to India in fight against terrorism
The Foreign Minister of Maldives Abdulla Khaleel expressed 'firm support' to India in the backdrop of the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that left 26 dead and dozens injured. The discussion in this regard was part of the High Level Core Group (HLCG) meeting that took place here on Monday (May 26, 2025). 'Foreign Minister Dr. Khaleel strongly condemned the terrorist attack in Pahalgam in April 2025. He expressed Maldives' solidarity with the people and Government of India and its firm support to India in the fight against terrorism in all its forms and manifestations,' said the Ministry of External Affairs in a statement after the meeting. Mr. Khaleel conveyed appreciation from Maldives for the recent grant of emergency financial assistance by India. He held a bilateral meeting with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar. 'Welcome Maldives' support and solidarity in combating terrorism. India remains committed to Maldives' progress and development,' said Mr Jaishankar after the meeting. 'We reviewed our ongoing political and development cooperation and explored ways for early implementation of the Vision Document set forth by the two leaders of Maldives and India for strengthening Maldives-India relations,' said Mr. Khaleel after the meeting. The Vision Document was launched October 7, 2024, during the India visit by Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu. The HLCG is a mechanism at the level of the Joint Secretaries. But for a change, Mr. Khaleel led the Maldivian delegation at the talks. The Indian delegation was headed by Puneet Agrawal, Additional Secretary, Indian Ocean Region Division.
The Hindu
04-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Maldives president holds 15-hour press conference, says nothing to worry about past pacts
Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu has said that there is nothing to worry about the agreements signed by the previous Government with other countries, drawing criticism from the opposition leader, who demanded his apology for making 'false claims' during the 2023 election campaign regarding the pacts with nations like India. At a marathon press conference at his Office on Saturday (May 3, 2025), Mr. Muizzu said he was working in line with his pledge to disclose the military agreements and blamed delays on confidentiality issues, online news portal reported. 'Bilateral discussions are ongoing. There are no issues. However, we are trying to disclose through the bilateral discussions since I made a pledge. There are no concerns,' he was quoted as saying by the news portal. Mr. Muizzu made the remarks at the press conference, which lasted for nearly 15 hours, PSM News reported, claiming it broke a previous record held by Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The president paused only briefly for prayer times. Before coming to power, the People's National Congress (PNC) led by Mr. Muizzu expressed concerns over the agreements signed with other countries, especially India, by the previous Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) Government. Mr. Muizzu and his party's senior leaders have previously said these agreements will affect the Maldives' sovereignty. Responding to Mr. Muizzu's statement, former foreign minister and opposition MDP chief Abdulla Shahid criticised him, saying the people of the Maldives and India deserve an apology for his false claims over the pacts during the 2023 election campaign. 'After years of false claims, President Muizzu has now confirmed there are no 'serious concerns' with the bilateral agreements between the Maldives and India. He won the 2023 presidential election on the back of a campaign that claimed these agreements threatened our sovereignty and territorial integrity,' Mr. Shahid posted on X. 'That narrative has now collapsed under his own words. It spread fear, broke trust, and damaged the Maldives' reputation globally. The people of Maldives and India deserve an apology and a serious accounting for the harm caused,' he added. The Maldives and India witnessed a downturn in bilateral ties since pro-China president Mr. Muizzu assumed office in November 2023. On his insistence, India withdrew its military personnel manning three aviation platforms used for medical evacuation by May 10 last year. In September, Maldivian Foreign Minister Moosa Zameer acknowledged that the Maldives-India ties witnessed rough patches in the initial days of the President Muizzu-led Government but insisted that the two countries have mended fences and resolved the 'misunderstandings'. The Maldives is one of India's key maritime neighbours in the Indian Ocean Region. The overall bilateral ties, including in areas of defence and security, witnessed an upward trajectory under the previous Government in Male.
The Print
04-05-2025
- Politics
- The Print
Maldives: Muizzu says nothing to worry about past pacts, opposition slams him for previous ‘false claims'
'Bilateral discussions are ongoing. There are no issues. However, we are trying to disclose through the bilateral discussions since I made a pledge. There are no concerns,' he was quoted as saying by the news portal. At a marathon press conference at his Office on Saturday, Muizzu said he was working in line with his pledge to disclose the military agreements and blamed delays on confidentiality issues, online news portal reported. Male, May 4 (PTI) Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu has said that there is nothing to worry about the agreements signed by the previous government with other countries, drawing criticism from the opposition leader who demanded his apology for making 'false claims' during the 2023 election campaign regarding the pacts with nations like India. Muizzu made the remarks at the press conference, which lasted for nearly 15 hours, PSM News reported, claiming it broke a previous record held by Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The president paused only briefly for prayer times. Before coming to power, the People's National Congress (PNC) led by Muizzu expressed concerns over the agreements signed with other countries, especially India, by the previous Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) government. Muizzu and his party's senior leaders have previously said these agreements will affect the Maldives' sovereignty. Responding to Muizzu's statement, former foreign minister and opposition MDP chief Abdulla Shahid criticised him, saying the people of the Maldives and India deserve an apology for his false claims over the pacts during the 2023 election campaign. 'After years of false claims, President Muizzu has now confirmed there are no 'serious concerns' with the bilateral agreements between the Maldives and India. He won the 2023 presidential election on the back of a campaign that claimed these agreements threatened our sovereignty and territorial integrity,' Shahid posted on X. 'That narrative has now collapsed under his own words. It spread fear, broke trust, and damaged the Maldives' reputation globally. The people of Maldives and India deserve an apology and a serious accounting for the harm caused,' he added. The Maldives and India witnessed a downturn in bilateral ties since pro-China president Muizzu assumed office in November 2023. On his insistence, India withdrew its military personnel manning three aviation platforms used for medical evacuation by May 10 last year. In September, Maldivian Foreign Minister Moosa Zameer acknowledged that the Maldives-India ties witnessed rough patches in the initial days of the President Muizzu-led government, but insisted that the two countries have mended fences and resolved the 'misunderstandings'. The Maldives is one of India's key maritime neighbours in the Indian Ocean Region. The overall bilateral ties, including in areas of defence and security, witnessed an upward trajectory under the previous government in Male. PTI NSA ZH NSA NSA This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
