Blitz Bureau
INDIA has extended support of $400 million and a bilateral currency swap of Rs 3,000 crore to the Maldives. The support will be instrumental in tackling the ongoing financial challenges faced by the Maldives. The decision in this regard was taken during the delegation-level talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the President of Maldives Mohamed Muizzu in New Delhi on October 7.
Besides, the currency swap agreement, the two countries signed two MoUs including bilateral cooperation on preventing and combating corruption. Two other MoUs were also renewed between the two countries on Capacity Building Programs for Maldivian judicial officers and in the field of Sports and Youth Affairs.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that India and Maldives have adopted a vision for a Comprehensive Economic and Maritime Security Partnership to give strategic direction to their cooperation, according to joint press statement.
The Prime Minister also highlighted that India has always played the role of first responder to Maldives. He emphasised that India has always fulfilled its responsibility as a neighbour, be it fulfilling the need for essential commodities for the people of Maldives, making drinking water available during natural calamities, or providing vaccines to that country during Covid times.
PM Modi said the relationship between India and Maldives is centuries old and India is its closest neighbour and close friend. Maldives also holds an important place in our “Neighbourhood First” policy and “SAGAR” Vision, he said. PM Modi said that the RuPay card has been launched in Maldives and in the coming time, work will be done to connect India and Maldives with UPI as well. In his statement, President Muizzu said he and PM Modi held extensive discussions taking stock of our successful development journey together and charting the path of future collaborations between the two countries. He said both sides agreed on a comprehensive vision document charting the course of the bilateral relationship.
