Latest news with #Maldivians
News18
2 days ago
- Business
- News18
Three months of free on arrival visa for Sri Lankans tourists to Maldives
Colombo, Jul 30 (PTI) The Maldivian government on Wednesday declared allowing free 90 day on arrival visas for Sri Lankan nationals touring the archipelagic nation. The announcement was made during the last day of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake's three day visit to Male, the Maldives' capital. Sri Lanka has already announced free visas for Maldivians for one year. The visa facility will take effect from July 29. 'This initiative is offered under the provisions of the bilateral agreement on visa facilitation between Sri Lanka and the Maldives," Dissanayake's office said here. This was Dissanayake's first visit to the Maldives after he was elected president last year. PTI CORR NPK NPK First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
News18
5 days ago
- Politics
- News18
Sri Lankan President Dissanayake to visit Maldives to boost bilateral ties
Last Updated: Colombo, Jul 27 (PTI) Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake will pay a three-day official visit to the Maldives to enhance cooperation between the two island nations, the foreign ministry here has announced. The visit from July 28-30 will be at the invitation of Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu, the ministry said in a statement on Friday. The two presidents will hold bilateral talks to exchange several Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs). The visit aims to boost cooperation between the Maldives and Sri Lanka in mutually beneficial areas, according to the ministry. This will be the first visit to the Maldives by Dissanayake since being elected president in September last year. His first visit was to India and was followed by visits to China and the UAE. The visit marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of formal diplomatic relations between the Maldives and Sri Lanka. According to Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath, one of the MoUs will allow Maldivian citizens to obtain visit visas valid for up to one year. He said a substantial number of Maldivians visit Sri Lanka for health tourism. Sri Lanka has been granting free tourist visas to Maldivians since 2023. PTI CORR GRS GRS GRS view comments First Published: July 27, 2025, 13:45 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
DW
5 days ago
- Business
- DW
India: Modi boosts Maldives ties as China looms – DW – 07/26/2025
Indian Prime Minister Narenda Modi visited the island nation this weekend to boost political and economic ties. Modi said his country was committed to 'supporting the aspirations of the Maldivian people.' Indian Prime Minister Narenda Modi on Saturday wrapped up a two-day visit to the Maldives during which he strengthened diplomatic and economic ties with the Indian Ocean island nation which has increasingly been drifting into China's orbit. After being elected to office on an anti-India, pro-Chinaplatform in 2023, Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu insisted on, and secured, the withdrawal of Indian military personnel who operated search-and-rescue aircraft in the archipelago. Tensions escalated last year when Muizzu visited China before India, a move widely interpreted in New Delhi as a diplomatic snub. In response, Indian moves to promote tourism off its own south coast were seen by Maldivians as an attempt to lure wealthy Indian tourists away from their country. Muizzu has since toned down his anti-India rhetoric, however, and said in a banquet speech alongside Modi on Friday: "India has long stood as the Maldives' closest and most trusted partner." Modi's visit coincided with celebrations marking the 60th anniversary of the Maldives' independence from British rule in 1965, but also amid growing concern about the Maldives' struggling economy and foreign exchange shortage. Shortly after his arrival on Friday, Modi unveiled a $565 million credit line and announced a reduction in repayments of an earlier credit line from $51 million to $29 million annually. The two countries also discussed a potential free-trade agreement. "We deeply value the friendship of India and are grateful for the timely assistance your country has extended to us in moments of need," said Muizzu, adding later on social media that Modi's visit had set "a clear path for the future of Maldives-India relations." During his visit, Modi also inaugurated several India-funded infrastructure projects, including a new defense ministry headquarters, new roads and a 4,000-unit housing scheme. "India remains committed to supporting the aspirations of the Maldivian people," Modi wrote on social media. "Our relationship continues to grow, shaped by people-to-people ties and cooperation in various sectors." Key among those sectors are key Indian Ocean shipping lanes, many of which pass through the 1,192 islands which make up the Maldives, stretching across 800 kilometers (500 miles) of the equator. The pristine beaches may have helped the Maldives establish a reputation for luxury tourism, but the region is also a geopolitical hotspot.
Time of India
6 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
"India will be a very crucial partner going forward," Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu says
Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu acknowledged India's cooperation with the nation through all these years. Muizzu, while talking to reporters on the sidelines of their Independence Day celebration, said that he was excited to see the implementation of the MoUs signed here and the implementation of the UPI. "We all see how India has helped the Maldives in the past, and nobody will doubt how India will be a very crucial partner going forward," he said. When asked about agreements with India related to the Line of Credit, debt repayment, FTA, and UPI, Muizzu said that it will help the locals as well as tourists. "Definitely it will greatly help the Maldives going forward. So we are really looking forward to implementing the agreements and the MoUs we have signed. I think both our countries, people are looking forward because it will definitely benefit the tourists who come here and for the Maldivians who go to India. We are very hopeful, very hopeful. I think we just started on it and definitely help locals and tourists from India who come here. We hope to conclude it very soon," he said. Live Events Muizzu further thanked PM Modi for accepting his invitation to the Independence Day celebrations. "On behalf of all the Maldivians, I sincerely thank Prime Minister Modi for accepting my invitation to come to the Maldives on this very important historic occasion," he said. Muizzu hoped to see a rise in tourism from India post PM Modi's visit. "Well, India is one of the major tourism countries that helps the Maldives with tourism. And definitely with Prime Minister's visit, it is going to increase a lot and I'm surepeople to people exchange between the two countries will greatly boost," he said. Muizzu said that PM Modi was a wonderful person and is fond of building good relations with his neighbours. "PM Modi is a wonderful person who is very fond of building relationships between India's neighbours. The Maldives and India have a very good relationship that goes back centuries, and with PM Modi's leadership, cooperation between the two governments is going to be even more prosperous in the days ahead," he said. On being asked about his plan to visit India this year, Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu says, "I hope so. I don't know whether this year or not, but maybe in the near future."
Gulf Today
6 days ago
- Business
- Gulf Today
India's Modi announces credit worth $565 million to Maldives
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday announced a $565-million line of credit to the Maldives during a visit to the Indian Ocean archipelago, as the two countries launched formal talks for a free-trade agreement. Modi is visiting the Maldives, known for its upmarket tourist resorts, to mark the 60th anniversary of its independence and diplomatic relations between the two countries. The announcement came during Modi's joint media statement with Maldives' President Mohamed Muizzu. The two-day visit is crucial to India's ambition to control the seas and shipping routes of the Indian Ocean in a race with its regional rival China. It also marks the further easing of diplomatic tensions between the two nations that followed the election of pro-China Muizzu in 2023. Regional powers India and China compete for influence in the archipelago nation, which is strategically located in the Indian Ocean. On Friday, Modi witnessed the exchange of agreements to cooperate in sectors such as fisheries, health, tourism and digital development. He also formally handed dozens of heavy vehicles to the Maldives' defense forces. 'India is Maldives' closest neighbor. Maldives holds an important place in both India's neighborhood- first policy and ocean vision,' Modi said. 'India is also proud to be Maldives' most trusted friend.' The line of credit will be used for 'infrastructure and development projects in line with the priorities of the people of the Maldives,' he said. 'India will continue to support Maldives in developing its defence capabilities. Peace, stability and prosperity in the Indian Ocean region is our common goal,' he added. During Muizzu's visit to India last October, India announced financial support to the cash-strapped Maldives in the form of a $100-million treasury bills rollover and the countries signed a $400-million currency swap agreement. Tensions between India and the Maldives grew since Muizzu, who favored closer ties with China, was elected in 2023 after defeating India-friendly incumbent Ibrahim Mohamed Solih. Leading up to the election, Muizzu had promised to expel Indian soldiers deployed in the Maldives to help with humanitarian assistance. Last year New Delhi replaced dozens of its soldiers in the Maldives with civilian experts. Measure by Modi to promote tourism in India's Lakshadweep archipelago, off the southwestern coast of the Indian mainland, also sparked anger from Maldivians, who saw it as a move to lure Indian tourists away from their country. Indian celebrities then called for a tourism boycott to the Maldives. The dispute deepened when Muizzu visited China ahead of India in January last year, a move seen by New Delhi as a snub. On his return, Muizzu spelled out plans to rid his tiny nation of dependence on India for health facilities, medicines and import of staples. Relations started to improve after Muizzu attended Modi's swearing-in ceremony for a third five-year term. Muizzu has toned down his anti-Indian rhetoric, and official contacts with New Delhi have intensified as concerns grew about Maldives' economy. India has long been a critical provider of development assistance to the Maldives. Meanwhile, the Maldives joined China's Belt and Road Initiative in 2013 to build ports and highways and expand trade as well as China's influence across Asia, Africa, and Europe. Modi will attend the Maldives' 60th independence anniversary from being a British protectorate on Saturday. Separately, the Reserve Bank of India has 'won the battle against inflation' but the war is ongoing as price stability remains the central goal, Governor Sanjay Malhotra said during a fireside chat at a Financial Express event on Friday. The RBI delivered a larger-than-expected 50 basis point rate cut at its June policy review but shifted its stance to 'neutral,' suggesting limited room for further easing. However, with retail inflation falling to a six-year low and likely to hit a record low in July, calls have grown for at least one more rate cut this year. Many analysts argue the sharp disinflation also points to weakening demand in the economy. Malhotra said monetary policy being forward looking, will place greater focus on the outlook for growth and inflation, rather than current levels when the policy panel meets on Aug. 6. The change in stance to 'neutral' did not mean a reversal from the easing of policy, he said. 'We have the flexibility to move up, down or pause. Yes, it does mean, the bar for further easing is higher than it would have been if it (stance) was accommodative,' he added. Monetary policy transmission has quickened due to rate cuts and will help in supporting economic growth as overall flow of funds to the industry and economy is improving, Malhotra said. Further monetary policy measures would depend on the requirement but the central bank has enough ammunition in its armory to use as and when required, he added. Agencies
