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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.
Time of India
06-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Defence agreements with India being amended, says Maldives
Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu The Maldives on Tuesday said existing defence agreements with India are being amended to ensure they do not compromise the Maldives' sovereignty and independence, media reports said Minister Mohamed Ghassan Maumoon also told Parliament members that 74 Indian soldiers stationed in the Maldives, who were repatriated under an agreement reached with India last year, were unarmed while in the Maldives. Maumoon's statements come days after Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu, during a marathon 15 hour press conference, said that there is nothing to worry about the agreements signed by the previous government with other countries, including with comments had drawn criticism from the opposition leader who demanded his apology for making "false claims" during the 2023 election campaign regarding the pacts with nations such as Tuesday, while answering questions raised by Parliament members, Maumoon said, the agreements formed with India as part of long-standing close ties between the two countries had been amended or is being amended "to ensure that they protect the sovereignty and independence of Maldives," according to a report in newsportal Public Service Media (PSM News), the state-run news agency, quoted the minister as saying that since the Maldives gained independence in 1965, more than 100 agreements were signed with India and of those, the defence ministry oversees of the key agreements under review pertained to the development of a naval dockyard at Uthuru Thilafalhu with Indian assistance, the PSM News of the 2023 election and when it was in opposition, the People's National Congress (PNC) led by Muizzu, had criticised aspects of the Uthuru Thila Falhu agreement, claiming that certain provisions conflicted with national minister said such clauses are now being amended, but did not share further details, confidentiality clauses, the minister said the agreements and their amendments could not be made public but said he would disclose them if formally the parliament's Committee on National Security Services requested Maldives and India witnessed a downturn in bilateral ties since pro-China president Muizzu assumed office in November 2023. Within hours of his oath, he had demanded the withdrawal of Indian military personnel from his the Indian military personnel were replaced by civilians in a mutually agreed manner between March and May Tuesday, while addressing questions regarding Indian military personnel in the Maldives, Defence Minister Maumoon confirmed that no Indian forces were currently stationed in the country."Of the 71 Indian personnel previously deployed, all have been repatriated following bilateral discussions, with the final contingent departing on 9 May 2024. Indian soldiers had not carried weapons while stationed in the Maldives," the PSM News quoted the minister as minister also clarified that the Indian military presence had been limited to providing operational support for Dornier aircraft and helicopters operating under India's assistance programme, he said, adding, "The withdrawal was a necessary step to ensure national sovereignty remains uncompromised."Earlier on Saturday, Muizzu, during his marathon press conference, said he was working in line with his pledge to disclose the military agreements and blamed delays on confidentiality issues.
The Hindu
06-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Defence pacts with India being amended, says Maldives
The Maldives on Tuesday (May 6, 2025) said existing defence agreements with India are being amended to ensure they do not compromise the Maldives' sovereignty and independence, media reports said in Male. Defence Minister Mohamed Ghassan Maumoon also told Parliament members that 74 Indian soldiers stationed in the Maldives, who were repatriated under an agreement reached with India last year, were unarmed while in the Maldives. Mr. Maumoon's statements come days after Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu, during a marathon 15 hour press conference, said that there is nothing to worry about the agreements signed by the previous government with other countries, including with India. Mr. Muizzu's comments had drawn criticism from the opposition leader who demanded his apology for making 'false claims' during the 2023 election campaign regarding the pacts with nations such as India. On Tuesday (May 6, 2025), while answering questions raised by Parliament members, Mr. Maumoon said, the agreements formed with India as part of long-standing close ties between the two countries had been amended or is being amended 'to ensure that they protect the sovereignty and independence of Maldives,' according to a report in newsportal The Public Service Media (PSM News), the state-run news agency, quoted the Minister as saying that since the Maldives gained independence in 1965, more than 100 agreements were signed with India and of those, the Defence Ministry oversees four. One of the key agreements under review pertained to the development of a naval dockyard at Uthuru Thilafalhu with Indian assistance, the PSM News said. Ahead of the 2023 election and when it was in opposition, the People's National Congress (PNC) led by Muizzu, had criticised aspects of the Uthuru Thila Falhu agreement, claiming that certain provisions conflicted with national policy. The Minister said such clauses are now being amended, but did not share further details, said. Citing confidentiality clauses, the Minister said the agreements and their amendments could not be made public but said he would disclose them if formally the parliament's Committee on National Security Services requested it. The Maldives and India witnessed a downturn in bilateral ties since pro-China president Muizzu assumed 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 in a mutually agreed manner between March and May 10. On Tuesday, while addressing questions regarding Indian military personnel in the Maldives, Defence Minister Maumoon confirmed that no Indian forces were currently stationed in the country. 'Of the 71 Indian personnel previously deployed, all have been repatriated following bilateral discussions, with the final contingent departing on 9 May 2024. Indian soldiers had not carried weapons while stationed in the Maldives,' the PSM News quoted the Minister as saying. The Minister also clarified that the Indian military presence had been limited to providing operational support for Dornier aircraft and helicopters operating under India's assistance programme, he said, adding, 'The withdrawal was a necessary step to ensure national sovereignty remains uncompromised.' Earlier on Saturday (May 3, 2025), Mr. Muizzu, during his marathon press conference, said he was working in line with his pledge to disclose the military agreements and blamed delays on confidentiality issues. '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 said. Prior to the 2023 elections, Mr. Muizzu's PNC had expressed concerns over the agreements signed with other countries, especially India, by the previous Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) government. Soon after on Saturday (May 3, 2025), former Foreign Minister and opposition MDP chief Abdulla Shahid criticised Mr. Muizzu, saying the people of the Maldives and India deserve an apology for his false claims over the pacts during the 2023 election campaign. 'Muizzu 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. The people of Maldives and India deserve an apology and a serious accounting for the harm caused.' The Maldives is one of India's key maritime neighbours in the Indian Ocean Region. It is a key partner in India's 'Neighbourhood First' policy and Vision 'SAGAR', Security and Growth for All in the Region. After External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar's first official visit in June 2024 and Mr. Muizzu's visit to India in October 2024, the two nations have sought to reset ties.
