20-Dec-2022: 6th India-Maldives Joint Staff Talks held in New Delhi to further bolster bilateral defence cooperation

6th Joint Staff Talks (JST) between India and the Maldives were held in New Delhi on December 20, 2022. The meeting was conducted in a friendly, warm and extremely cordial atmosphere. Discussions focused on the ongoing and new initiatives under the ambit of existing bilateral defence cooperation mechanism of all the three services and further strengthening the engagements.

The meeting was co-chaired by Assistant Chief of Integrated Defence Staff, Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff (HQ IDS) Air Vice Marshal Ashish Vohra and Commandant, Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) Service Corps Brigadier General Hamidh Shafeeg. The JST is a forum established to boost defence cooperation between India and the Maldives through annual talks at the strategic and operational levels between HQ IDS & MNDF.

6-Dec-2022: Capacity Building of Secretary Generals of Atolls Councils of Maldives started

As a part of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s approach of ‘neighbourhood first’ policy, India is building capacities of civil servants of neighbouring countries to meet the emerging challenges in governance and assured public service delivery to improve the quality of life of people.

The National Centre for Good Governance (NCGG) has entered into an MoU with the Civil Service Commission of Maldives for capacity building of 1,000 Maldives civil servants by 2024. The agreement was signed during the state visit of the Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, to Male on 8th June 2019. As part of the agreement, NCGG is the nodal institution for designing customized training modules after considering the requirements of the countries and their implementation. So far, more than 550 officers of Maldives Civil Service including the Permanent Secretaries of the Govt of Maldives have been imparted training in India. The 18th capacity building programme started in Delhi from the 5th of December for the Secretary Generals of various atolls councils of Maldives.

Bharat Lal, Director General, NCGG in his inaugural address, emphasized the role of civil servants in improving the quality of life of people and underlined the need to strengthen women’s role in decision-making. He gave examples of various programmes in India wherein the indomitable spirit of women has been tapped to bring transformation. He shared numerous examples of how with opportunities and an enabling environment, women have brought profound changes in the public service delivery and governance, ensuring transparency and quality in works, water, sanitation, public health and waste management in villages.

He urged the Secretary Generals of various councils of atolls to continue focusing on protecting the environment, improving sanitation and carrying out waste management in a big way, saving energy and promoting circular economy. He said that Hon’ble PM Shri Narendra Modi’s mantra of ‘LIFE - Lifestyle for Environment’ is the way forward. Highlighting that in a true sense this is a reorientation and sensitization programme, he also urged the participants that in next one week, in the context of new learnings and exposure in India, they should think about how to further improve and bring change in administration of atolls to tackle emerging challenges.

The training module includes lessons from various initiatives taken in India such as e-governance, digital India, CPGRAMS, approach to sustainable development goals, public health initiatives, water security on islands among other important areas. It also includes exposure visits to prominent places like the Pradhan Mantri Sanghralaya, the office of UIDAI, the Parliament, etc. where participants will see the best practices in e-governance.

The inaugural session commenced with a briefing on the structure of the capacity building programme by Prof. Poonam Singh, the Nodal officer (training) and the ways to emulate the learnings. In addition to the civil servants of Maldives, the programme was also attended by other senior officials of the NCGG.

11-Nov-2022: Capacity building Maldivian civil servants: a new chapter in India–Maldives relations

National Centre for Good Governance (NCGG), an autonomous apex institution of Government of India in partnership with the Ministry of External Affairs today concluded its two-week 17th capacity building programme for civil servants of Maldives, which was started on 31st October 2022. In 2019, during the visit of Maldives by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, a MoU was signed between the NCGG and the Civil Services Commission (CSC) of Maldives, which envisaged capacity building activities of 1,000 civil servants of Maldives at NCGG over the next 5 years. Despite Covid–19 pandemic, so far over 500 civil servants of island nation have been trained under the aegis of the aforesaid MoU signed in 2019.

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, during his visit to Maldives in June, 2019, had emphasized India's 'Neighbourhood First' policy and assured India's full support to Maldives in realizing its aspirations for broad-based socio-economic development and strengthening of democratic and independent institutions. India is the largest development partner of Maldives.

The valedictory session of this programme was held today i.e. 11 November, 2022. In his valedictory address, Shri Bharat Lal, Director General, NCGG stressed that there is need to be sensitive and responsive in serving the people. He also suggested that it is necessary to work with speed and on a scale, and use digital technology in delivery of services. He also emphasized that after going back to Maldives, participants may utilize the knowledge and skills acquired during the programme. He also cited the example of ‘Chiranjivi yojana’ on maternal healthcare started 2006-07 for tribal women in Gujarat and said that such innovations and out of box thinking helps in leapfrogging and speedy service delivery.

The capacity building programme for civil servants of developing countries aims at equipping them with cutting-edge knowledge, skills and tools to design and deliver effective public services in an increasingly complex and inter-dependent world. It is expected that this will establish good governance and ultimately achieve sustainable development apart from providing rich cross-country experience. The NCGG is sharing various initiatives being taken in the country such as e-governance, digital India, universalization of public services to achieve sustainable development goals, usage of Aadhaar in service delivery, public grievance redressal mechanism and disaster management with special reference to coastal region among other important areas.

Eminent persons and domain experts from different fields conducted highly interactive sessions in the two-week programme, sharing their knowledge and experiences with the participants. The focus has bane on priority sectors of India–Maldives relations, regional cooperation initiatives in Indian ocean region, improving service delivery: an essence to citizen centric governance, PM Jan Dhan Yojana: positive impact on citizens lives, total quality management, public policy and implementation, challenges in achieving SDGs, tourism, composite culture of India, constitutional foundation of decentralization in India, public grievances redressal mechanism, PPPs, reforms in governance, overview of security scenario, digital India, agro-based practices in coastal areas, etc.

During the 2-week course, participants were also taken for exposure visits to places like Pradhanmantri Sangrahalaya, smart city, Parliament of India, zero energy building – Paryavaran Bhavan, Delhi Metro, Taj Mahal, etc. Eminent speakers and experts such as Indrani Bagchi, CEO, Ananta Centre; Professor Deepti Pandey from IIM Ahmedabad; Shri Padamveer Singh, former Director, LBSNAA; ABP Pandey, Chairman, FRA and others addressed the participants during the programme.

Deputy team leader from Maldives Ms. Suhana Saeed in her address, appreciated the programme both in content and delivery. She has assured that these learning platforms shall be highly useful to them.

In the valedictory session, Prof. Poonam Singh, Nodal Officer (Training) from NCGG gave an overview of the programme in detail and appreciated the participants for their enthusiastic participation. Course Coordinator Dr. A. P. Singh presented vote of thanks in which he spoke that these initiatives require meticulous planning and execution.

7-Sep-2022: Cabinet approves Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cooperation in the field of Disaster Management between India and Maldives

The Union Cabinet, Chaired by Hon’ble Prime Minister has ex-post facto approved  the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed on 02nd August, 2022 between the National Disaster Management Authority of the Republic of India and the National Disaster Management Authority of the Republic of Maldives on cooperation in the field of Disaster Management.

Benefits: The MoU seeks to put in place a system, whereby both India and Maldives will be benefited from the Disaster Management mechanisms of each other and it will help in strengthening the areas of preparedness, response and capacity building in the field of Disaster Management.

Salient features of the MoU:

1. The Parties will extend mutual support on the request of one Party in the time of large scale disaster incident occurring within its territory, in the field of emergency relief, response, humanitarian assistance
2. The Parties will exchange information and share experiences and best practices of disaster response, mitigation, planning and preparedness.
3. The Parties will share satellite remote sensing data and expertise of space technology base applications for effective disaster mitigation, including exchange of information on disaster on prevention and risk assessment.
4. The Parties will extend cooperation in the field of advanced information technology, early warning systems, remote sensing, satellite communication & navigation services.
5. To consider training and capacity building programme for sectoral mainstreaming in disaster risk reduction, the parties will provide opportunities to train senior officials and rescue personnel of emergency management service in the short and long term trainings.
6. The Parties will exchange information about the domestic and international exhibitions as well as exercises to be held in both countries and also cooperate in areas such as research, knowledge exchange, faculty support programmes, documentation in the areas of disaster risk reduction and academic programmes in disaster resilience & climate change adaptation.
7. The parties will determine further cooperation in other activities related to disaster management.
8. The Parties may exchange Tsunami Advisories, Storm Surge, High Wave Alert, Multi Hazard vulnerability information and multi hazard risk assessment due to oceanogenic disasters along their coastal zones.
9. The Parties may exchange information about Numerical weather Predication (NWP) products and Extended Range Forecast (ERF).
10. The Parties may exchange information including provision of access by Indian side to the Real Time Analysis of Products and Information Dissemination (RAPID) for visualization of Indian Weather Satellite Data as well as providing training on NWP and Satellite Meteorology by IMD.
11. The Parties will initiate an annual disaster management exercise that will be held in the different geographic settings of both nations.

2-Aug-2022: India-Maldives Joint Statement during the Official Visit of President of Maldives to India

The President of the Republic of Maldives, His Excellency Mr. Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, is on an Official Visit to India at the invitation of the Prime Minister of the Republic of India, Shri Narendra Modi.

This is President Solih’s third visit to India since assuming office on 17 November 2018. President Solih is accompanied by a high-level official delegation comprising His Excellency Mr. Ibrahim Ameer, Minister of Finance, His Excellency Mr. Fayyaz Ismail, Minister of Economic Development, Her Excellency Mr. Aishath Mohamed Didi, Minister of Gender, Family and Social Services, and a business delegation.

During the visit, President Solih had restricted and delegation level talks with Prime Minister Modi in New Delhi. Prime Minister Modi also hosted an official lunch for President Solih and the accompanying delegation.

President Solih also met with President of the Republic of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu, during the visit and congratulated President Murmu on assuming office as India’s 15th President. Minister of External Affairs of India, Dr. S. Jaishankar called on President Solih. During the Mumbai leg of the visit, Governor of Maharashtra, Shri Bhagat Singh Koshyari will call on President Solih.

The India-Maldives bilateral partnership is underpinned by geographical proximity, historical, cultural ties and shared values. Prime Minister Modi underlined that the Maldives occupies a special place in the hearts of Indians and in India’s "Neighbourhood First” policy. President Solih reaffirmed his government’s "India-First Policy”. The two leaders expressed satisfaction at the rapid expansion of the bilateral partnership in recent years, which has benefited citizens of both countries. The leaders reiterated their commitment to further strengthen and deepen this mutually beneficial comprehensive partnership.

President Solih thanked Prime Minister Modi and the Government of India for standing by the Government and the people of the Maldives during the Covid-19 pandemic. The medical and financial assistance from India helped the Maldives overcome the health and economic fallouts of the pandemic. India was the first partner to gift Covid-19 vaccines to Maldives. Prime Minister Modi congratulated President Solih and the people of the Maldives for their resilience, the successful vaccination drive and the solid economic rebound post-pandemic.

Prime Minister Modi and President Solih agreed to further deepen institutional linkages for cooperation in the areas of defence and security, investment promotion, human resource development, infrastructure development including climate and energy.

Economic Cooperation and People-to-People Ties

Both leaders welcomed the growth in people-to-people ties through implementation of visa-free travel, better air connectivity, exchange programmes, and growing cultural and economic linkages. India has emerged as the top source for the Maldivian tourism market, contributing to economic resilience. The leaders acknowledged the role of the bilateral air travel bubble, created during the pandemic, in the expansion of tourism ties. The two leaders welcomed the ongoing work to operationalize the usage of RuPay Cards in Maldives and agreed to consider further measures to boost bilateral travel and tourism and economic inter-linkages. Both leaders also acknowledged the valuable contribution of Indian teachers, nurses, medical workers, doctors, workers, and professionals in the Maldives. They welcomed the recent launch of National Knowledge Network in Maldives and directed the officials to work towards expanding its reach within the country.

The two leaders welcomed the engagement among business leaders from both countries during the visit, noting that fisheries, infrastructure, renewable energy, tourism, health, and IT among others were key sectors for greater economic linkages between the two countries through cross-border investments and partnerships. Both leaders acknowledged India’s potential as a frontier market for Maldivian tuna products under the SAFTA. Overall, both leaders expressed satisfaction at the growth in bilateral trade since 2019. Prime Minister Modi and President Solih noted the operations of the direct cargo vessel service between India and Maldives since September 2020 and desired that the service become an enabler of increased bilateral trade.

Development Partnership

Prime Minister Modi and President Solih reviewed the remarkable progress achieved in the development partnership domain despite the COVID-19 pandemic and other global economic challenges. India-Maldives development partnership has witnessed rapid growth in recent years and covers large infrastructure projects, community-level grant projects and capacity building programmes which are based purely on requirements of the Maldives, implemented through transparent processes and in a spirit of cooperation between the two Governments.

Both leaders participated in the virtual "pouring of the first concrete” ceremony of the USD 500 mn Greater Male’ Connectivity Project being built under grant and concessional loan support from India. The two leaders directed the officials to ensure timely completion of this largest landmark infrastructure project in Maldives - that will enhance mobility between Male’, Villingili, Gulhifalhu and Thilafushi islands, cut down logistics cost and drive people-centric economic growth- which will be a symbol of enduring friendship between the two countries.

Prime Minister Modi announced offer of a new Government of India Line of Credit of USD 100 mn to finance infrastructure projects in Maldives. President Solih thanked Government of India for this offer and expressed confidence that this additional fund would enable implementation of several large infrastructure projects that have been under various stages of discussion.

Both leaders reviewed the progress achieved in the development of the 4,000 social housing units being built in Greater Male under Buyer’s Credit financing of Exim Bank of India. These housing units are in line with the Government of Maldives’ focus of providing affordable housing for its citizens.

The two leaders welcomed the approval of Exim Bank of India Buyer’s Credit funding of USD 119 mn for construction of another 2000 social housing units in Greater Male and exchange of a Letter of Intent to this effect between Exim Bank of India and the Government of Maldives. President Solih expressed appreciation to the Government of India for the generous assistance for additional housing units.

The two leaders expressed satisfaction at the progress achieved in other Indian funded projects including the Addu Roads project, provision of water and sewerage facilities at 34 islands, and restoration of Hukuru Miskiy (Friday Mosque). The two leaders welcomed the approval of the revised DPR of the Gulhifalhu Port Project and directed officials to commence implementation at the earliest as it will provide world class port facility for Greater Male’ replacing the existing port and relocation of facilities from Male’ City. The two leaders also welcomed final approval of the Indian side for signing of the Hanimaadhoo Airport Development project EPC contract and expressed happiness that implementation would commence shortly. The two leaders noted with satisfaction the finalisation of the feasibility report of the Cancer Hospital building project in Laamu and its financial closure through the Government of India Line of Credit.

Both leaders welcomed the positive contribution to island communities from the 45 Community Development Projects, being implemented through grant assistance from India.

Prime Minister Modi and President Solih noted with satisfaction that capacity building and training had emerged as a key pillar of the bilateral partnership in the past few years. Alongside ITEC training scheme, hundreds of Maldivians undergo special customized training in India, facilitated by institutional linkages between civil services, customs services, parliaments, judiciaries, media, health and education institutes, and defence and security organisations. The two leaders welcomed the MoU signed between the Local Government Authority of Maldives and the National Institute for Rural Development and Panchayati Raj of India which would strengthen the capacities of local government institutions in the Maldives.

Defence and Security

The India-Maldives defence and security partnership is time-tested and is the leading example of regional cooperation in the areas of transnational crimes and disaster relief. This partnership is a force for stability in the Indian Ocean Region. Recognizing that the security of India and the Maldives are inter-linked, the two leaders reiterated their assurance to be mindful of each other’s concerns on the security and stability of the region; and to not allow their respective territories to be used for any activity inimical to the other.

The two leaders agreed on energizing cooperation in maritime safety and security, maritime domain awareness, and, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief through the implementation of ongoing projects and capacity building initiatives. Prime Minister Modi reaffirmed India’s commitment to strengthen cooperation in line with India’s Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR) vision.

Both leaders expressed satisfaction on the speedy progress made in the pre-construction phase of the Coast Guard Harbour at SIFAVARU. This project would assist the Government of Maldives in enhancing the capability of Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) in exercising jurisdiction and undertaking maritime surveillance of its EEZ and atolls. Both leaders directed the officials to ensure timely completion of this project.

Prime Minister Modi announced supply of the second Landing Assault Craft (LCA) and a replacement ship for earlier provided CGS Huravee from Government of India for Maldives National Defence Force to Government of Maldives. Prime Minister Modi also announced gifting of 24 utility vehicles from Government of India to Maldives National Defence Force. President Solih thanked Prime Minister Modi for India’s continuing support for modernisation of MNDF infrastructure and equipment, through grant assistance and the USD 50 mn Line of Credit facility for defense projects.

President Solih thanked Prime Minister Modi for the assistance in establishing the National College for Policing and Law Enforcement (NCPLE) at Addu City which was inaugurated in March 2022.

The two leaders welcomed the exchange of Buyers Credit Agreement for design and construction of 61 police infrastructures across Maldives that will contribute to improved access to policing and to ensure the safety and security of the communities in the islands.

Both leaders also welcomed the progress achieved in these areas within the framework of regional and multilateral initiatives. Prime Minister Modi congratulated President Solih for the successful hosting of 5th Meeting of Colombo Security Conclave in Male’ in March 2022 which witnessed membership expansion as well as addition of a new pillar – Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief – at Maldives’ initiative.

The two leaders recalled the success of the 6th Deputy National Security Advisor’s Meeting of the Member States of Colombo Security Conclave, held in Kochi last month, and expressed confidence that the 7th Deputy National Security Advisor’s Meeting to be hosted by the Maldives will lead to constructive outcomes.

The two leaders welcomed the exchange of MoUs on strengthening cooperation in the field of disaster management, and on cyber security.

The leaders condemned terrorism in all its forms and called for enhanced coordination between the security agencies of the two countries to thwart radicalisation, violent extremism, terrorism and narco-trafficking. While acknowledging progress since the First Meeting of the Joint Working Group on Counter-Terrorism held in April 2021, the two leaders directed the officials to further strengthen cooperation in various areas, including cyber- security.

Emerging Frontiers of Cooperation

Environment and Renewable Energy - The leaders recognized the growing challenges emanating from climate change and agreed to strengthen cooperation towards mitigation and adaptation bilaterally as well as in the framework of multilateral initiatives – International Solar Alliance and Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure. The development of drinking water and sanitation infrastructure on 34 islands under Government of India concessional Line of Credit is the largest climate adaptation project being undertaken in Maldives with international assistance. Prime Minister Modi lauded the ambitious target set by Maldives to become net zero by 2030 and assured full support. In this context, the two leaders called on their officials to strengthen cooperation in the area of renewable energy and grid inter-connectivity.

Sports and youth development- The two leaders acknowledged the expansion of sports ties, including through gifting of equipment and training of Maldivian athletes in India. They directed the officials to take forward the projects for development of sports infrastructure in the Maldives through the concessional USD40 million Line of Credit facility for sports infrastructure development. They also noted the inclusion of several sports development projects among grant funded projects being implemented in the Maldives. Both leaders welcomed the growing exchanges between youth from both sides under the MoU on cooperation in sports and youth affairs signed in 2020.

Cooperation in Multilateral Forums

The leaders agreed on the need for urgent reforms of the UN bodies, particularly the Security Council. In this regard, Prime Minister Modi appreciated Maldives’ support for India’s candidature for permanent membership of an expanded and reformed UN Security Council. President Solih thanked India for support for the Maldives’ candidature for the Presidency of the seventy-sixth session of the UN General Assembly. Both leaders also agreed to continue working on multilateral issues of common concern, at the UN and other international fora.

Agreements/MOUs

The leaders witnessed exchange of MoUs/ Agreements in the following areas during the visit:

• Collaboration on potential fishing zone forecast capacity building
• Cooperation in the area of cyber security
• Capacity building of women development committees and local government authorities of Maldives
• Cooperation in disaster management
• USD 41 Mn Buyer’s Credit Agreement to construct police infrastructure
• Letter of Intent for Buyer’s Credit financing of 2,000 social housing units

President Solih thanked Prime Minister Modi for the warmth, cordiality and gracious hospitality extended to him and members of his delegation during their visit.

President Solih reiterated his invitation to the President of India to make a State Visit to the Maldives. President Solih also invited the Prime Minister of India to undertake a visit to the Maldives.

20-Jul-2022: Cabinet approves signing of MoU in the field of Judicial Cooperation between Judicial Service Commission of Maldives

The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved the signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in the field of Judicial Cooperation between India and Judicial Service Commission of the Republic of Maldives.  This is the eighth MoU signed between India and other countries in the field of Judicial Cooperation.

This MoU will provide a platform to tap benefits of Information Technology for court digitization and can be a potential growth area for the IT companies and start-ups in both the countries.

During recent years, the close relationship between India and Maldives has intensified multi-dimensionally.  With the signing of this agreement on cooperation in the field of law and justice, the good relations between the two countries will receive further impetus.  It will not only enable exchange of knowledge and technology in judicial and other legal areas between the two countries but will also further the objectives of “Neighbourhood First” policy.    

26-Apr-2022: India and Maldives to establish transmission interconnection for renewable power transfer

Union Minister for Power and New and renewable Energy Shri R. K. Singh met Ms. Aminath Shauna, Minister of Environment, Climate Change and Technology, Republic of Maldives here today.

Shri Singh appreciated the resolve of Government of Maldives to achieve the net zero emission target by 2030. During the meeting, both leaders proposed two Memoranda of understanding –one on Energy cooperation and another on transmission interconnection under One Sun, One World, One Grid (OSOWOG). To facilitate Maldives' energy transition programme, India and Maldives have proposed to establish transmission interconnection for renewable power transfer as part of One Sun, One World & One Grid initiative.

A draft agreement is being prepared for MoU on transmission interconnection under which a technical team from India would visit Maldives to assess its technical feasibility. Thereafter a Detailed Project Report (DPR) would be prepared jointly with Indian and Maldives Agencies including undersea cable route survey and network augmentation in Male.

2-Jun-2021: Cabinet approves Memorandum of Understanding between India and Maldives on cooperation in the field of sustainable urban development

The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi was apprised of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), Government of India and Ministry of National Planning, Housing and Infrastructure, Government of Maldives on cooperation in the field of Sustainable Urban Development.  The MoU was signed in February, 2021.

A Joint Working Group (JWG) will be constituted to strategize and implement programmes on cooperation under the framework of the MoU. The Joint Working Group will meet once in a year, alternately in Maldives and in India.

Benefits: The MoU will promote strong, deep and long-term bilateral cooperation in the field of Sustainable Urban Development between the two countries. The MoU is expected to create employment in the areas of sustainable urban development including Urban Planning, Smart Cities Development, Solid waste management, Affordable housing, Urban Green Mobility, Urban Mass Rapid Transport, Smart Cities Development.

Details: The MoU comes into effect on the date of signing by the two contracting parties i.e. 20th February, 2021 and will remain in force for indefinite period.

The objectives of the MoU are to facilitate and strengthen India-Maldives technical cooperation in the field of sustainable urban development including Urban Planning, Smart Cities Development, Solid waste management, Affordable housing, Urban Green Mobility, Urban Mass Rapid Transport, smart cities development and any other related area mutually agreed by contracting parties.

25-May-2021: Cabinet approves Opening of a new Consulate General of India in Addu City, Maldives

The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved the opening of a new Consulate General of India in Addu City, Maldives in 2021.

India and Maldives share ethnic, linguistic, cultural, religious and commercial links steeped in antiquity. Maldives occupies an important place in the 'Neighbourhood First Policy' and the 'SAGAR’ (Security and Growth for All in the Region) vision of the Government of India.

Opening of a Consulate General in Addu City will help augment India's diplomatic presence in Maldives and make it commensurate with the existing and aspired level of engagement.

The momentum and energy in the bilateral relationship has reached unprecedented levels under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi and President Solih.

This is also a forward-looking step in pursuit of our national priority of growth and development or 'Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas'. Augmentation of India's diplomatic presence will, inter-alia, provide market access for Indian companies and bolster Indian exports of goods and services. This would have a direct impact in augmenting domestic production and employment in line with our goal of a self-reliant India or 'Atmanirbhar Bharat'.

16-Mar-2021: Cabinet approves MoU between India and Maldives on Cooperation in Sports and Youth Affairs

The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, was apprised of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports of the Republic of India and the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment of the Republic of Maldives for cooperation in Sports and Youth Affairs. The MoU was signed on November, 2020.

Objectives: Bilateral exchange programmes in the field of sports and youth affairs between India and Maldives will help in expanding knowledge and expertise in the area of sports science, sports medicine, coaching techniques, participation in youth festivals and camps which would result in improvement in performance of our sportspersons in international tournaments and strengthening of bilateral relations between India and Maldives.

Benefits: Benefits arising from bilateral cooperation in the field of sports and youth affairs with Maldives would be equally applicable to all sportspersons irrespective or their caste, creed, region, religion and gender.

22-Nov-2020: Maldives gets $7.6 million Japanese grant to enhance maritime security

The Maldives government and Japan signed an agreement under which the Indian Ocean archipelago would receive a $7.6 million grant to enhance the capability of the Maldives Coast Guard. The aid would help increase the capacity of the Maldives in maritime security and rescue operations in the region.

The aid will also allow the adaption of advanced communication technologies in Maldives Coast Guard thus increasing its effectiveness in rescue and diving operations.

During the ceremony, Foreign Minister Abdullah Shahid hailed the importance of the cooperation between the two nations and said it will help the country to fight the challenges like drug abuse, radicalization, and the security of the Indian Ocean.

Japan had also helped the Maldives earlier in its fight against the COVID-19 pandemic by granting $1.4 million and 21 ambulances.

The agreement is the second such big deal for the Maldives that happened with any Quad nations in the last two months. Traditionally the areas had been looked at as the backyard of the Indian domain and influence. But in recent days, Japan and the US has been seen increasing their bilateral engagement with the archipelago in the maritime domain.  

For the Maldives, the diversification of its dependency for maritime security apart from India would also help to pacify its domestic political sentiments that have seen some anti-Indian tendencies in recent times.

23-Jan-2020: India helps Maldives tackle measles outbreak

India has stepped in to help the Maldives tackle a recent outbreak of measles, identified at a government hospital about three weeks ago. The Indian Embassy in Male handed over 30,000 doses of measles and rubella (MR) vaccine to the Maldivian Health Ministry.

The outbreak comes less than three years after the World Health Organisation declared the Maldives measles-free. As many as six persons have so far been affected by the contagious viral infection. Following the development, health authorities in the Maldives said they have intensified the vaccination drive, to prevent the infectious disease from spreading further.

The six cases of measles so far identified are from Hulhumale — the reclaimed island adjoining capital Male — and capital Male, according to the Minister, who is heading a task force to handle the outbreak. The Maldives is observing 2020 as the year of public health, when an unexpected public health challenge emerged.

The vaccine provided by India reached Male within 72 hours after the government made a request.

MoU on health: The Indian government’s initiative comes even as the two countries implement the Memorandum of Understanding on Health cooperation — signed during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Male in June 2019. Secretary-level delegations met in Male early January to draw a roadmap for cooperation, in capacity building and training of doctors and medical professionals, disease surveillance, training of mental health professionals, setting up of digital health capacities in Maldives.

India is also helping build a 100-bed Cancer Hospital in Hulhumale as part of its $800 million Line of Credit to the island nation, a popular tourist destination and home to over 4,00,000 people.

New Delhi’s bilateral ties with Male witnessed a significant shift after President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih was elected to office in 2018, following a tenuous relationship with his predecessor President Abdulla Yameen’s administration that New Delhi considered to be favouring stronger ties with China.

17-Dec-2018: India commits USD 1.4 billion financial assistance to Maldives

India announced financial assistance of USD 1.4 billion to the Maldives as the island nation's President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih undertook his maiden visit here, which Prime Minister Narendra Modi said would enhance "trust and friend" between the two nations.

Looking forward to securing the societal and economic development of Maldives, India also promised to provide budget support, and currency swap. The two countries also exchanged the documents of agreement in the presence of Prime Minister and Maldives President Solih for bilateral co-operation in the field of agri-business, culture, and visa arrangements.

New Delhi and Male agreed to work together to create institutional linkages and to establish a framework of cooperation in the following areas including health cooperation issues particularly cancer treatment, mutual legal assistance on criminal matters, investment promotion, human resource development, tourism.

The two leaders reiterated their strong commitment to further strengthening and reinvigorating the traditionally strong and friendly relations between India and the Maldives, nurtured by geographical contiguity, ethnic, historical, socio-economic and cultural ties between the peoples of the two countries. They also reiterated an abiding faith in, and commitment to democracy, development and peaceful co-existence.

Modi also congratulated the people of Maldives for their successful and peaceful transition to democracy. He applauded the President of Maldives on his vision for inclusive, decentralised, people-centric governance, and development that is sustainable.

Recalling his government's policy of 'Neighbourhood-First,' Prime Minister Modi reiterated India's assurance of all possible support to Maldives in realising its aspirations for socio-economic development, and strengthening of democratic and independent institutions.

In this regard, the Prime Minister announced provision of financial assistance up to US$ 1.4 billion in the form of budgetary support, currency swap and concessional lines of credit to fulfill the socio-economic development programmes of the Maldives.

President Solih reaffirmed his government's "India-First Policy" and commitment to working together closely with New Delhi. He appreciated the generous assistance provided by the Government of India to the Maldives and identified various areas for developmental cooperation, including private sector involvement in development of housing and infrastructure, water and sewerage systems in the outlying islands, healthcare, education, and tourism.

Both leaders emphasised the need to improve connectivity between the two countries through the establishment of enabling infrastructure that would promote the exchange of goods and services, information, ideas, culture, and people.

The Prime Minister informed the decision by the Government of India to provide 1,000 additional slots over next five years for training and capacity building in diverse fields including judicial, policing and law-enforcement, audit and financial management, local governance, community development, IT, e-governance, sports, media, youth and women empowerment, leadership, innovation and entrepreneurship, art and culture.

Recognising the importance of facilitating people-to-people exchanges and travel, the leaders welcomed the new agreement on visa facilitation signed on Monday. The Prime Minister noted that the new agreement will address the common concerns and ensure that people-to-people contacts are enhanced. The Maldives is one of the very few countries with which India has a visa-free arrangement.

India also promised a maritime cooperation to the Maldives, and also welcomed Male's entry into the Commonwealth and praised the growth of Maldives from one among the least developed countries (LDC) to a middle-income group of countries.

Prime Minister Modi welcomed Maldives' decision to re-join the Commonwealth. The Prime Minister also welcomed the Maldives as the newest member of the Indian Ocean Rim Association.

President Solih in his speech said that the agreements signed would pave the way for greater cooperation between the two Asian countries. He added that an important aspect of their bilateral discussion was on mutual aspirations and need for regional stability, and strengthening the maritime security.

Both leaders agreed on the importance of combating the impact of climate change, especially detrimental to developing countries, and small island developing states, and the need to work towards strengthening the global response to climate change, through the UNFCCC, and the Paris Agreement.

The two leaders underscored the need for strengthening and reform of multilateral financial institutions and enhancing the voice and participation of developing countries in international economic decision-making.

President Solih reiterated his country's support for India's candidature for permanent membership of an expanded and reformed UN Security Council. The Maldives also reiterated support for India's candidature for a non-permanent seat for the year 2020-21.

10-Dec-2018: Maldives has applied to rejoin Commonwealth

The Maldives has applied to rejoin the Commonwealth, reversing a policy of isolation under autocratic leader Abdulla Yameen who suffered a shock defeat in September. His successor, Ibrahim Solih, wrote to the 53-member bloc seeking readmission two years after Yameen pulled the atoll nation out of it.

Yameen withdrew the Maldives from the Commonwealth after it mounted pressure on him to protect human rights and ensure the rule of law amid a ferocious crackdown on dissent.

Solih’s office said the new president’s administration believed in the values of the bloc, which consists mainly of former territories and colonies of the British empire. “The Maldives’ interest in re-joining the Commonwealth stems from a deep conviction that the values and principles enshrined in the Commonwealth Charter are more vital than ever,” the president’s office said.

Yameen had accused the Commonwealth secretariat of interfering in the nation’s affairs.