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Scroll.in
4 days ago
- Business
- Scroll.in
India is ‘most trusted partner', says Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu
India is the 'closest and most trusted partner ' of the Maldives, President Mohamed Muizzu said on Friday during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Malé. 'India's partnership remains invaluable,' Muizzu said during a press briefing alongside Modi. Muizzu announced the start of negotiations for a free trade deal between the two countries, describing the agreement as a 'landmark initiative' to deepen economic cooperation. Describing India as a key source market for tourism in the Maldives, he added that the two sides are working to enhance direct flight connectivity. Muizzu also outlined plans for technical collaboration in waste management, renewable energy, biodiversity, and water and sanitation. Modi announced a Rs 4,850-crore (about $560 million) line of credit for development projects in the island nation. New Delhi also agreed to reduce the island nation's annual debt repayment by 40%, from $51 million to $29 million. India is proud to be the 'most trusted friend' of the Maldives, Modi said, and reaffirmed that New Delhi would continue to serve as the island nation's first responder in times of crisis. 'The Maldives holds an important place in both India's Neighbourhood First Policy and the MAHASAGAR vision,' the prime minister stated. MAHASAGAR refers to the Indian government's Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions policy. 'Mausam chahe jaisa bhi ho [no matter what the weather may be] our friendship will always remain bright and clear,' Modi said. Both leaders discussed strengthening cooperation in trade, defence, maritime security, climate action and health, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Friday. They also witnessed the exchange of six memoranda of understanding, including one on digital public infrastructure and another paving the way for Unified Payments Interface payments in the Maldives. The partnership with Malé is of strategic importance to New Delhi amid its geopolitical competition with China in the Indian Ocean region. Thaw in relations This is Modi's first visit to the Maldives since diplomatic ties got strained in January 2024 after remarks by three deputy ministers of the island nation about the Indian prime minister's social media posts. The posts showed the prime minister snorkelling during his recent visit to Lakshadweep. Maldivian minister Maryam Shiuna had reacted to the picture calling Modi a 'clown'. 'The puppet of Israel, Mr Narendra diver with life jacket,' she had said in a social media post, which was subsequently deleted. Following an uproar on social media by some Indians, Shiuna and two other ministers – Malsha Shareef and Mahzoom Majid – were suspended on January 7. Muizzu, who was widely seen as sympathetic to Beijing's interests, had led an 'India Out' political campaign during the tenure of former Maldivian President Ibrahim Solih. He protested Solih's policies that were perceived to be friendly towards New Delhi. Amid the diplomatic row, Muizzu had said that the Maldives may be a small country but that does not give anybody the license to 'bully' the island nation. Amid the diplomatic spat with India, in January 2024, Muizzu also made his first official state visit to China. India is typically the first country that new Maldivian presidents visit after assuming power. Muizzu had first requested a visit to New Delhi but was turned down, according to reports. Ahead of his visit to India in October, Muizzu denied having espoused an 'India Out' policy and claimed that he only advocated for the removal of foreign military personnel in keeping with the wishes of his citizens. Removing India's military presence from the Maldives was a key poll plank for Muizzu in November 2023. India was the only foreign power with a military presence in the Maldives. A group of Indian defence personnel had maintained radar stations and surveillance aircraft in the archipelago. Indian warships also helped patrol the Maldives' exclusive economic zone. In May 2024, New Delhi said that it had replaced its military personnel in the Maldives with 'competent Indian technical personnel' for operating aviation platforms.
India.com
4 days ago
- Business
- India.com
PM Modi, Maldivian President Muizzu Inaugurate New Defence Ministry Building In Male
Overlooking the Indian Ocean, the eleven-storey building is a symbol of the strong and long-standing defence and security cooperation between the two countries, according to a release from the Prime Minister's Office (PMO). The MoD building has been constructed with India's financial assistance and will contribute towards enhancing the capabilities of the defence and law enforcement authorities of the Maldives. As PM Modi arrived at the venue, he was greeted by enthusiastic crowds chanting "Narendra Modi Zindabad" and holding banners that read -- "Honouring Enduring Partnership - Welcome, Prime Minister Modi." In a post on X, Maldivian President's Office stated in a post on X, "His Excellency President Dr Mohamed Muizzu and His Excellency Shri Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of the Republic of India, inaugurate the Dhoshimeyna Building, the new office premises of Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF)." #WATCH | Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu jointly inaugurate Dhoshimeyna Building, the newly-built Ministry of Defence building in Malé, Maldives. (Video: ANI/DD) — ANI (@ANI) July 25, 2025 Prime Minister Modi described the inauguration as another instance of strong India-Maldives cooperation. In a post on X, he said, "President Muizzu and I inaugurated a new building of the Ministry of Defence in Male. This is yet another instance of strong India-Maldives cooperation." Earlier in the day, PM Modi reaffirmed the Maldives' significance in India's regional outreach. In a post on X, he said, "Held very fruitful discussions with President Muizzu. Maldives is at the core of our 'Neighbourhood First' and Mahasagar Vision. Our discussion covered several sectors, notably commercial and cultural linkages. We both agree that the India-Maldives friendship will always be bright and clear. India is honoured to work closely with the Maldives in areas such as housing, connectivity, infrastructure, defence, digital technology and more. Climate change and renewable energy are also two vital pillars of our bilateral cooperation." In a further gesture of goodwill, PM Modi also gifted two Aarogya Maitri Health Cubes to President Muizzu on behalf of the Government of India. In a post on X, the President's office said, "His Excellency President Dr Mohamed Muizzu accepts two Aarogya Maitri Health Cubes gifted by His Excellency Shri Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India, on behalf of the government of India to the Maldives. The state-of-the-art portable hospitals are equipped with an ICU, operating theatre, laboratory, X-ray, and other emergency medical facilities. Each unit can operate independently for 72 hours and treat up to 200 individuals." PM Modi is on a two-day visit to the Maldives at the invitation of President Muizzu.
Hindustan Times
4 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
India aware of China's aim to become ‘maritime power': Government
India is aware of China's stated objective of becoming a "maritime power", and New Delhi closely monitors all developments in the Indian Ocean Region impinging on its security and economic interests and takes appropriate measures to safeguard them, the Centre informed Parliament on Friday. Countries such as Sri Lanka, the Maldives and Mauritius occupy a central place in India's 'Neighbourhood First' Policy and MAHASAGAR vision. (Representational/Reuters) In a written response to a query in the Lok Sabha, Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh also said, "Our relations with countries in the Indian Ocean Region are comprehensive and long-standing, based on their own merit and are independent of their relations with any third countries." The Ministry of External Affairs was asked whether China's growing presence in the Indian Ocean Region is a "strategic challenge" for India. "The government is aware of China's stated objective of becoming a 'maritime power'. As part of this strategy, China is developing ports and other infrastructure facilities in the littoral countries in the Indian Ocean Region," he said. China also has a naval and maritime presence in the Indian Ocean Region, including through anti-piracy escort missions, port calls and deployment of research and survey vessels, the MoS said. "Government closely monitors all developments in the Indian Ocean Region impinging on India's security and economic interests and takes appropriate measures to safeguard India's interests," he added. Countries such as Sri Lanka, the Maldives and Mauritius occupy a central place in India's 'Neighbourhood First' Policy and MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions) vision, the MoS said. "Our political relations with countries of the region are strong, trade and investment ties are being augmented, development projects and infrastructural cooperation are progressing, and there is broad-based engagement across all sectors," he added.
Hindustan Times
4 days ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
‘Most trusted friend': India unveils new measures to bolster Maldives economy
EW DELHI: India on Friday unveiled new measures to bolster the economy of the Maldives, including a rupee-denominated credit line of ₹4,850 crore and a reduction in annual debt repayment obligations, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi asserting that New Delhi is the most trusted friend of the Indian Ocean archipelago. Prime Minister Narendra Modi receives a ceremonial welcome at Republic Square in Malé on Friday. Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu was also present. (DPR PMO/ANI) On his arrival in the Maldives earlier in the day, Modi was received at the airport by President Mohamed Muizzu and key members of his cabinet. The visit marked another step in the turnaround of bilateral ties, which were hit when Muizzu came to power in late 2023 on an 'India Out' campaign and sought to move the Maldives closer to China. During talks between Modi and Muizzu, the two sides agreed to launch negotiations for a free trade agreement (FTA) and finalise a bilateral investment treaty. There was also understanding on closer defence and maritime security cooperation, with Modi describing peace, stability and prosperity in the Indian Ocean as a common goal. At a joint media interaction after their discussions, Modi and Muizzu alluded to the transformation in the relationship after the strains that beset it in recent years. They also discussed plans to deepen economic and development cooperation, with the Maldives being one of the primary beneficiaries of India's assistance in the region. 'India is the closest neighbour of the Maldives. The Maldives holds an important place in both India's Neighbourhood First policy and MAHASAGAR vision. India is also proud to be the most trusted friend of the Maldives,' Modi said, speaking in Hindi. 'Be it a disaster or a pandemic, India has always stood by as a first responder…For us, it is always friendship first.' Muizzu described the launch of talks on an FTA as a significant step in strengthening the economic partnership, and said: 'We appreciate the pivotal role played by India in supporting the Maldives to manage economic and liquidity challenges through a $400-million currency swap facility and interest-free one-year rollover of the treasury bill in May 2025.' He added, 'Looking ahead, we are fully committed to further strengthen our cooperation with India across a broad range of sectors through exchange of high-level visits.' The two sides finalised seven agreements, including the pact for the credit line of ₹4,850 crore ($565 million) that Muizzu said will be used for priority projects in defence, healthcare, education and housing, and an agreement on reducing the annual debt repayment obligations of the Maldives towards Indian credit lines in US dollars. The obligations will be reduced by almost 40% from $51 million to $29 million. In addition to an agreement between India's NPCI International Payment Limited and the Maldives Monetary Authority to take forward the implementation of the Unified Payment Interface (UPI), the two sides finalised memorandums of understanding (MoUs) on cooperation in fisheries, cooperation between the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology and the Maldives Meteorological Services, cooperation in sharing India's large-scale digital solutions, and recognition of Indian pharmacopoeia by the Maldives to facilitate the sourcing of medicines. Modi and Muizzu inaugurated the new building of the Maldivian defence ministry built with Indian aid, and the Indian side handed over 72 vehicles and other equipment for the Maldivian defence forces. The Indian side also handed over 3,300 out of 4,000 housing units financed under an Exim Bank credit line, and the two leaders inaugurated a network of roads and drainage systems built in Addu city with another Exim Bank credit line. Six high-impact community projects and a fish processing plant built with Indian support were also inaugurated. Modi and Muizzu, during their talks, explored new avenues for cooperation under the Joint Vision for Comprehensive Economic and Maritime Security Partnership that was adopted during the Maldivian leader's visit to India last October. 'Now [the joint vision] is becoming a reality and as a result, our relations are touching new heights,' Modi said. Muizzu spoke of a shared development journey and said the two sides had charted a 'clear path for future cooperation'. 'Mutual cooperation in the field of defence and security is a symbol of mutual trust. The building of the defence ministry, which is being inaugurated today, is a concrete building of trust. It is a symbol of our strong partnership,' Modi added. Noting that India will continue backing the Maldives in developing its defence capabilities, Modi said: 'Peace, stability and prosperity in the Indian Ocean region is our common goal. Together at the Colombo Security Conclave, we will strengthen regional maritime security.' A local currency system for settlement of trade will bolster trade in Indian rupees and the Maldivian rufiyaa, and the promotion of UPI in the Maldives will boost tourism and retail trade, Modi said. Muizzu said India continues to be a key source market for Maldivian tourism, and the two sides discussed ways to expand this key sector through enhanced connectivity, including direct flights. When foreign secretary Vikram Misri was asked at a media briefing whether China's role in the region figured in the talks between the two leaders, he said: 'We proceed on the assumption that security is an issue of mutual interest. [Muizzu] expressed his commitment to the importance that the Maldives attaches to security-related issues and the commitment for the two sides to continue to work together.' The contacts between the security forces of the two sides, including exchanges, training, and exercises, continue to be an important issue. 'We continue to work very closely together with the Maldives on any issues that might impinge on not just our security, but our common security in this region,' Misri said. Misri attributed the turnaround in bilateral ties to the way in which India and the Maldives have addressed 'issues in the relationship' and paid attention to each other's concerns. 'This is a very close relationship, it has a basis that goes back a long way. There may be instances or events…from time to time but there is a fundamental understanding between the two sides…on the importance…of this relationship,' he said. When Maldivian journalists raised the issue of remarks critical of the Indian PM that former Maldivian ministers had previously made, Misri said: 'Our ties are strong enough to withstand some of these passing… remarks that have been made… I would, rather than look back, prefer to look forward and look into the future…That future is undoubtedly and unquestionably bright.' On Saturday, Modi will be the guest of honour at celebrations marking the 60th anniversary of the independence of the Maldives and interact with Maldivian political leaders and the Indian community.
News18
4 days ago
- Business
- News18
Trade, Security & Sustainability Development: PM Modi Charts Roadmap For India–Maldives Ties
The Prime Minister made the remarks during a banquet hosted in his honour by Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu in Male Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that India has always stood by the Maldives in its development journey, especially in areas like infrastructure and capacity building. The Prime Minister made the remarks during a banquet hosted in his honour by Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu in Male, where he is currently on a state visit. 'We are both partners of the Global South. Whether it is Infrastructure or Capacity Building, India has been a true partner and companion at every turn of Maldives' development journey. Now we should move forward on trade, security, and sustainable development," PM Modi said. He reaffirmed the strong ties between the two nations, saying the island nation holds a 'special place" in India's Neighbourhood First policy. 'India-Maldives relations are centuries-old. We are neighbours, partners and true friends who stand together in times of need. Like I said earlier too, Maldives holds a special place in India's 'Neighbourhood First' policy…This is not just diplomacy but a relation of deep affinity," PM Modi added. The Prime Minister also underlined the importance of taking the partnership forward in key areas such as trade, security, and sustainable development. 'We should now move ahead in strengthening cooperation in trade, security, and sustainable development," he added. view comments 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.
