Indian Prime
Minister Narendra Modi visited the Maldives on 8 June. PM’s visit to the Maldives reflects the
importance India attaches to its Neighbourhood
First policy.
Highlights:
During his visit, PM Narendra Modi and the
President of Maldives Ibrahim Mohamed Solih signed six key agreements and
substantive bilateral level talks.
MoU includes maritime and defence ties which are
a top priority and the radar system are expected to boost maritime security.
The leaders jointly inaugurated a coastal
surveillance radar system and a composite training centre for the Maldives
defence forces.
Launch of RuPay Card in the Maldives was
welcomed by PM Modi as it will give a boost to tourism in the island
nation.
The six
agreements include:
- cooperation in the field of hydrography
- cooperation in the field of health
- customs capacity building between the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) and Customs of India and the Maldives Customs Service
- the establishment of passenger and cargo services by sea
- training and Capacity Building Programme for Maldivian civil servants Maldives Civil Service Commission signed with India’s National Centre for Good Governance (NCGG) with the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances
- sharing white shipping information between the Indian Navy and the Maldives National Defence Force
Previous
agreements:
In March 2019, India and Maldives signed an $800-million Line of Credit
Agreement with an aim to assist the Maldives in achieving
sustainable social and economic development.
Maldives:
President: Ibrahim Mohamed Solih
Vice President: Faisal Naseem
Capital: Malé
Currency: Maldivian rufiyaa (MVR)
Official languages: English, Dhivehi
