New Delhi:

The inauguration of a new runaway in the Maldives built under an airport redevelopment project assisted by India and the official launch of the RuPay card in the island nation on Monday are aimed at boosting economic ties and tourism cooperation between the two countries.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Maldivian Mohamed Muizzu jointly virtually inaugurated the runway at the Hanimadhoo International Airport and also witnessed via weblink a live transaction using a RuPay payment service card in the Maldives.

The launch took place after the two leaders held extensive talks which Muizzu in his press statement said were to “chart a new path for the future”.

The Maldivian president accompanied by First Lady Madam Sajidha Mohamed and a Maldivian delegation arrived in India on Sunday evening.

Though the Maldivian president attended PM Modi’s swearing-in ceremony in June, it is his first bilateral visit to India.

Prior to the launch of different India-assisted projects in the Maldives, a small official video was played in which details about these projects were shared in the presence of the two leaders at the Hyderabad House.

“The bonds between India and Maldives stretch back centuries, woven together through rich trade and cultural exchanges,” it was narrated in the video.

Over the years, this relationship has evolved, characterised by “mutual respect and unwavering support”, underpinned by India’s Neighbourhood First policy and SAGAR vision, it said.

India has always been the first responder in the Maldives during times of crisis.

“Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Mohamed Muizzu, this relationship is to achieve greater heights,” it added.

The RuPay card launch today will pave the way for strengthened India-Maldives relations by boosting tourism and economic cooperation, according to the India-Maldives video.

“It will allow Indian tourists to make cashless transactions easily, reducing cost and enhancing convenience, especially in the Maldives tourism sector,” it said.

The inauguration of the new runaway at Hanimadhoo International Airport marks a “significant milestone in the airport’s ongoing expansion project”.

Its redevelopment, under an “Indian Line of Credit of USD 132 million”, aims to provide complete new infrastructure including runaway, ATC tower, ARFF block, hangar, cargo facilities, and passenger terminal building, it added.

Prime Minister Modi in his press statement after the bilateral talks said President Muizzu’s visit adds “another chapter to our ties”.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

New Delhi:

The inauguration of a new runaway in the Maldives built under an airport redevelopment project assisted by India and the official launch of the RuPay card in the island nation on Monday are aimed at boosting economic ties and tourism cooperation between the two countries.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Maldivian Mohamed Muizzu jointly virtually inaugurated the runway at the Hanimadhoo International Airport and also witnessed via weblink a live transaction using a RuPay payment service card in the Maldives.

The launch took place after the two leaders held extensive talks which Muizzu in his press statement said were to “chart a new path for the future”.

The Maldivian president accompanied by First Lady Madam Sajidha Mohamed and a Maldivian delegation arrived in India on Sunday evening.

Though the Maldivian president attended PM Modi’s swearing-in ceremony in June, it is his first bilateral visit to India.

Prior to the launch of different India-assisted projects in the Maldives, a small official video was played in which details about these projects were shared in the presence of the two leaders at the Hyderabad House.

“The bonds between India and Maldives stretch back centuries, woven together through rich trade and cultural exchanges,” it was narrated in the video.

Over the years, this relationship has evolved, characterised by “mutual respect and unwavering support”, underpinned by India’s Neighbourhood First policy and SAGAR vision, it said.

India has always been the first responder in the Maldives during times of crisis.

“Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Mohamed Muizzu, this relationship is to achieve greater heights,” it added.

The RuPay card launch today will pave the way for strengthened India-Maldives relations by boosting tourism and economic cooperation, according to the India-Maldives video.

“It will allow Indian tourists to make cashless transactions easily, reducing cost and enhancing convenience, especially in the Maldives tourism sector,” it said.

The inauguration of the new runaway at Hanimadhoo International Airport marks a “significant milestone in the airport’s ongoing expansion project”.

Its redevelopment, under an “Indian Line of Credit of USD 132 million”, aims to provide complete new infrastructure including runaway, ATC tower, ARFF block, hangar, cargo facilities, and passenger terminal building, it added.

Prime Minister Modi in his press statement after the bilateral talks said President Muizzu’s visit adds “another chapter to our ties”.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Male:

Maldives Foreign Minister Moosa Zameer has expressed gratitude to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar as the Indian government extended budgetary support to the Maldives with the rollover of the USD 50 million Treasury Bill. He said the Indian government’s announcement demonstrates “enduring bonds of friendship between the Maldives and India.”

In a post on X, Mr Zameer stated, “Sincere gratitude to External Affairs Minister @DrSJaishankar and the Government of #India for extending crucial budgetary support to the Maldives with the rollover of USD 50 million Treasury Bill. This generous gesture reflects the enduring bonds of friendship between #Maldives and #India.”

At the request of the Maldivian government, the State Bank of India (SBI) has subscribed the USD 50 million government Treasury Bills (T-bills) issued by the Ministry of Finance of the Maldives for a period of one more year upon the maturity of the previous subscription on September 19, the Indian High Commission in the Maldives said in a press release.

This is the second rollover granted by the Indian government this year, following the first rollover of a USD 50 million Treasury Bill on May 13.

According to the press release, the Maldivian government is “highly appreciative” of the support announced by India following the request made by Moosa Zameer during his meeting with Mr Jaishankar in August.

In a press release, the Maldives Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated, “Government of India’s decision to grant this extension came following a request to that effect made by Foreign Minister Moosa Zameer during the discussions held between the two governments at the recent visit of the Minister of External Affairs of India, S Jaishankar, to the Maldives from 9-11 August 2024.”

“The Government of the Maldives is highly appreciative of the generous support that the Government of India has been providing to the Maldives in the form of budgetary support. This extension comes at a pivotal moment as the Government of the Maldives is implementing a strong fiscal consolidation program to address the pressing economic challenges,” it added.

Maldivian Ministry of Foreign Affairs noted that India has once again showcased the high value it places on the enduring partnership between the two nations.

The press release stated, “The Government of India has once again demonstrated the high value it places on this enduring partnership. The Government of Maldives looks forward to continuing this collaborative partnership for the mutual benefit and prosperity of the people of both nations.”

In the press release, the Indian High Commission called the Maldives India’s key maritime neighbour and important partner under India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy.

The Indian High Commission in Maldives stated, “Maldives is India’s key maritime neighbour and an important partner under India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy and Vision SAGAR i.e. Security and Growth for All in the Region.”

“India has assisted the Maldives in times of need, and the current subscription of T-bills along with the Government of India’s decision earlier this year, of extending special quota for export of essential commodities for Maldives by one more year reflect India’s continued support to the Government and the people of the Maldives,” it added.

It noted that SBI had similarly subscribed a USD 50 mn T-bills under the same mechanism in May 2024, at the request of the Maldives government. These subscriptions have been made at the special request of the Maldives government as emergency financial assistance.

India’s ties with the Maldives were strained after Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu took office. Shortly after he was sworn in, Mr Muizzu stirred bilateral tensions by demanding the removal of approximately 88 Indian military personnel from the Maldives. These personnel were repatriated from three aviation platforms and replaced by Indian civilians by the May 10 deadline set by President Muizzu.

Recently, Mr Muizzu’s government in the Maldives took a reconciliatory tone after ties between the two nations soured, leading to a diplomatic row in January after three Maldivian deputy ministers made derogatory comments against Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his pictures from the visit to Lakshadweep.

Since January, many efforts have been undertaken by the Muizzu-led government in order to restore the relationship, which includes several high-level visits, including the President himself coming to India for the swearing-in ceremony of PM Narendra Modi or the visit of the Maldivian Foreign Minister.

Earlier in August, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar visited Maldives. During his visit to Male, Mr Jaishankar signed MoUs on capacity building and inaugurated six High Impact Community Development Projects (HICDPs), according to a Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) release.

Mr Jaishankar also called on Mr Muizzu and reviewed bilateral relations with his Maldives counterpart Moosa Zameer.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Male, Maldives:

Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu will travel to India on an official visit “very soon”, his spokesperson said today.

Heena Waleed, the chief spokesperson at the President’s Office, announced Mr Muizzu’s visit on a day when two junior ministers, suspended in January for derogatory comments against Prime Minister Narendra Modi – resigned from the government.

She said that while the exact date for the visit is yet to be finalised, the two sides are discussing a date, which is of convenience to the leaders of both countries, the Sun Online news portal reported.

“The President is scheduled to visit India very soon. As you are aware, such trips are scheduled for a time of maximum convenience to leaders of the two countries. Discussions regarding this are in progress,” she said during a press conference.

Mr Muizzu, known for his pro-China leanings, visited New Delhi on June 9 to attend Prime Minister Modi’s swearing-in ceremony. Unlike his predecessors, who made the first port of call to New Delhi after assuming office, Mr Muizzu travelled to Turkiye first and to China for his first state visit in January.

Heads of the states from India’s neighbourhood and the Indian Ocean region attended PM Modi’s oath ceremony. Mr Muizzu said he was delighted to receive Prime Minister Modi’s invitation and “equally delighted” to have attended the event.

On his return, Mr Muizzu described his first visit to India as a “success” for the Maldives and the region following talks with India’s top leadership and said that the strong ties between the two countries will lead to increased prosperity for the Maldivians.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar visited the Maldives in August – the first high-level trip from New Delhi after Mr Muizzu assumed office in November last year.

India’s relationship with the Maldives came under strain since Mr Muizzu took charge as the President. Within hours of his oath, he had demanded the withdrawal of Indian military personnel manning three aviation platforms gifted by India to the Maldives. After talks between the two sides, the Indian military personnel were replaced by civilians.

Things escalated after three Maldivian deputy ministers made controversial remarks regarding India and Prime Minister Modi on social media.

Maldives Foreign Ministry distanced itself from their remarks, saying they do not represent the views of the Male government.

The three junior ministers were suspended, and two of them – Mariyam Shiuna and Malsha Shareef – resigned today.

The Maldives is one of India’s key maritime neighbours in the Indian Ocean region and the overall bilateral ties, including in the areas of defence and security, witnessed an upward trajectory under the previous government led by President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.
 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Male, Maldives:

Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu will travel to India on an official visit “very soon”, his spokesperson said today.

Heena Waleed, the chief spokesperson at the President’s Office, announced Mr Muizzu’s visit on a day when two junior ministers, suspended in January for derogatory comments against Prime Minister Narendra Modi – resigned from the government.

She said that while the exact date for the visit is yet to be finalised, the two sides are discussing a date, which is of convenience to the leaders of both countries, the Sun Online news portal reported.

“The President is scheduled to visit India very soon. As you are aware, such trips are scheduled for a time of maximum convenience to leaders of the two countries. Discussions regarding this are in progress,” she said during a press conference.

Mr Muizzu, known for his pro-China leanings, visited New Delhi on June 9 to attend Prime Minister Modi’s swearing-in ceremony. Unlike his predecessors, who made the first port of call to New Delhi after assuming office, Mr Muizzu travelled to Turkiye first and to China for his first state visit in January.

Heads of the states from India’s neighbourhood and the Indian Ocean region attended PM Modi’s oath ceremony. Mr Muizzu said he was delighted to receive Prime Minister Modi’s invitation and “equally delighted” to have attended the event.

On his return, Mr Muizzu described his first visit to India as a “success” for the Maldives and the region following talks with India’s top leadership and said that the strong ties between the two countries will lead to increased prosperity for the Maldivians.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar visited the Maldives in August – the first high-level trip from New Delhi after Mr Muizzu assumed office in November last year.

India’s relationship with the Maldives came under strain since Mr Muizzu took charge as the President. Within hours of his oath, he had demanded the withdrawal of Indian military personnel manning three aviation platforms gifted by India to the Maldives. After talks between the two sides, the Indian military personnel were replaced by civilians.

Things escalated after three Maldivian deputy ministers made controversial remarks regarding India and Prime Minister Modi on social media.

Maldives Foreign Ministry distanced itself from their remarks, saying they do not represent the views of the Male government.

The three junior ministers were suspended, and two of them – Mariyam Shiuna and Malsha Shareef – resigned today.

The Maldives is one of India’s key maritime neighbours in the Indian Ocean region and the overall bilateral ties, including in the areas of defence and security, witnessed an upward trajectory under the previous government led by President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.
 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar calls on Maldives President Dr Mohamed Muizzu.
| Photo Credit: AP

The main Opposition Maldivian Democratic Party has welcomed the recalibration of the India policy by President Mohammad Muizzu-led government and said that the Maldives is confident that India will always be the first to assist it in times of emergency.

Abdulla Shahid, the President of the Maldivian Democratic Party, made the remarks after he met External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Saturday (August 10, 2024).

Mr. Jaishankar is on a three-day official visit to Maldives to reset the bilateral relationship, the first high-level trip from India after the archipelago nation’s pro-China President Muizzu assumed office last year.

“Great pleasure to warmly welcome and meet Indian External Affairs Minister @DrSJaishankar to the Maldives with my colleagues from @MDPSecretariat,” Mr. Shahid, the former foreign minister, said in a statement posted on ‘X’ late Saturday night.

“The Maldives has always been confident that India will always be the first responder any time the Maldives “dials an international 911”,” he said.

He said the “current government’s initial stoking of anti-India sentiments through aggressive slogans, mockery and the branding of a time-tested friend and development partner as a regional bully, has caused a decline in the Maldives international standing, economic loss, and many other unnecessary difficulties, and challenges.” “With this in mind, the MDP welcomes the sudden recalibration of the Maldives-India policy of President Muizzu’s government, from its previous India Out policy,” Mr. Shahid said.

India’s relationship with the Maldives has come under severe strain since Mr. Muizzu took charge as the President late last year.

Within hours of his oath, he had demanded the withdrawal of Indian military personnel manning three aviation platforms gifted by India to the Maldives. After talks between the two countries, the Indian military personnel were replaced by civilians.

On Saturday (August 10, 2024), President Muizzu described India as “one of the closest allies” and reaffirmed his administration’s full commitment to strengthening the historic and close connections between the two countries.

“The MDP hopes that this shift will not be temporary or superficial, but consistent and meaningful in the best interests of the people of the Maldives,” Mr. Shahid said.

The MDP president said that his party “calls on the Muizzu government to issue a public apology for the actions, lies, and irresponsible comments from its officials which have resulted in significant damage to the Maldives’ foreign and economic outlook.” In a separate statement, the MDP welcomed Jaishankar’s visit to the Maldives.

“The Maldives-India relationship has always been based on the principles of mutual respect, respect for international law, territorial integrity, a common desire for regional security, and an open and peaceful Indian Ocean, it said. The MDP thanked India for its steadfast support of the people of the Maldives.

“The MDP welcomes the exchange of notes during this visit, to train a further 1000 civil service officers – a key human resource programme initiated during (former) president (Ibrahim Mohamed) Solih’s government.

“MDP also welcomes the signing of the MoU between the Ministry of Economic Development and the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), on enhancing and expanding digital and integrated payment systems – another MoU that was discussed and finalised during President Solih’s administration,” it said.

“The MDP welcomes with gratitude to India, the inauguration and handover of six High Impact Community Development Projects, implemented with grant assistance from the Government of India, and signed and implemented during President Solih’s administration,” the statement said.

It said the High Impact Community Development Project scheme is a highly successful and beneficial grant assistance scheme initialised in 2019.

“The Party further welcomes the handover of water and sewerage projects in 28 islands financed through the EXIM Bank of India,” the statement said.

It said these projects were undertaken through the USD 800 million Line of Credit extended by the Government of India, during the first State Visit of former president Solih to India, in December 2018, and inaugurated during his administration.

The Maldives is one of India’s key maritime neighbours in the Indian Ocean region and the overall bilateral ties, including in the areas of defence and security, witnessed an upward trajectory under the previous government led by President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar meets Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu on August 10, 2024.
| Photo Credit: PTI

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu on Saturday (August 10, 2024) and emphasised New Delhi’s commitment to deepen India-Maldives ties for the benefit of the people in the two countries and the region.

Mr. Jaishankar is on a three-day official visit to Maldives to reset the bilateral relationship, the first high-level trip from India after the archipelago nation’s pro-China president Muizzu assumed office in 2023.

“Privileged to call on President Dr Mohamed Muizzu. Conveyed greetings of PM Narendra Modi. Committed to deepening India-Maldives ties for the benefit of our people and the region,” Jaishankar posted on X (formerly known as Twitter) along with a photograph of the meeting.

Mr. Jaishankar’s trip to the Maldives comes weeks after President Muizzu’s visit to India in June to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government.

Also read: India to introduce UPI payment service in Maldives

Maldives is one of India’s key maritime neighbours in the Indian Ocean region and the overall bilateral ties, including in the areas of defence and security, witnessed an upward trajectory under the previous government in Male.

New Delhi:

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will today begin his three-day official visit to the Maldives, the first high-level trip from New Delhi after ties between the two countries deteriorated since the island nation’s pro-China president, Mohamed Muizzu, assumed office nearly nine months ago.

Mr Jaishankar’s visit follows the June 9 visit of Mr Muizzu to India for the swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Union Council of Ministers. It was Mr Muizzu’s inaugural official visit to India since assuming office in November last year.

“Maldives is India’s key maritime neighbour and an important partner in India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy and our vision ‘SAGAR’ – Security and Growth for All in the Region,” the Ministry of External Affairs said in an official statement announcing Mr Jaishankar’s visit.

The visit is aimed at strengthening the close partnership between the two countries and to explore avenues to enhance the bilateral relationship further, the statement read further.

Mr Jaishankar had previously visited the Maldives in January 2023.

Earlier in May, Maldives Foreign Minister Moosa Zameer had made an official visit to India and met Mr Jaishankar.

The relations between India and the Maldives came under severe strain since Mr Muizzu took charge of the top office. He had campaigned for the presidency on an “India-out” stance.

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.

The ties strained further after three Maldivian deputy ministers made derogatory remarks against India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on social media. The remarks came after PM Modi posted photos and video of the pristine Lakshadweep Islands on India’s west coast in January on his official X handle.

The Maldivian government had then suspended the three ministers after opposition leaders slammed the “appalling language” used by the officials against PM Modi.

The Maldives is one of India’s key maritime neighbours in the Indian Ocean region and the overall bilateral ties, including in the areas of defence and security, witnessed an upward trajectory under the previous government in Male.

Male:

Notwithstanding the turbulence in their bilateral ties, the Maldives will soon launch India’s RuPay service, which a senior minister has said “will bolster the Maldivian Rufiyaa.” RuPay, a product of the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), is the first of its global card payment network in India, with wide acceptance at ATMs, POS devices, and e-commerce websites across India.

Minister of Economic Development and Trade Mohamed Saeed while announcing how both India and China have agreed to use local currency in bilateral trade, spoke about the upcoming launch of India’s RuPay.

“The upcoming launch of India’s RuPay service is anticipated to further bolster the Maldivian rufiyaa (MVR),” Saeed told state-run PSM News on Wednesday. He also emphasised that “addressing the dollar issue and reinforcing the MVR is a top priority for the current administration.

However, there has been no announcement of any date for the launch.

Last week, a news portal, CorporateMaldives.com, reported that Saeed conveyed that the card will be “formally utilised for transactions denominated in rupees within Maldivian territory.” “We are currently engaged in discussions with India to explore avenues for facilitating payments in rupees,” the minister said.

An India-Maldives joint statement during the official visit of the then President of Maldives Ibrahim Mohamed Solih to India in August 2022 said: “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.” Over the last few years, multiple banks and payment companies from across various countries have partnered with NPCI International Payments Ltd (NIPL), the international arm of NPCI, to accept UPI and RuPay in one form or the other.

Ever since the pro-China President Mohamed Muizzu assumed power last November, the relations between the Maldives and India have soured. The repatriation of 80 plus Indian military personnel manning three aviation platforms earlier this month from the archipelago nation at his insistence has left a bitter note on bilateral ties.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Male:

In a goodwill gesture, India has decided to extend vital budgetary support to the Maldives government with the rollover of a USD 50 million Treasury Bill for another year on the Maldivian government’s special request, it was announced on Monday.

The State Bank of India has subscribed for one more year to the USD 50 million Government Treasury Bill, issued by the Ministry of Finance of Maldives, upon maturity of the previous subscription, the High Commission of India said in a brief statement on Monday.

The Indian government took this decision despite the bilateral ties experiencing turbulence since Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu, a pro-China leader, assumed office six months back.

These Government Treasury Bills are subscribed by SBI under government-to-government, a unique arrangement at zero cost (interest-free) to the Government of Maldives.

The continuation of subscription has been made at the special request of the Government of Maldives to secure budgetary support from the Government of India, the statement said.

The Maldivian government on Monday thanked India for its support.

“I thank EAM Dr S Jaishankar and the Government of India for extending vital budgetary support to the Maldives with the rollover of USD 50 million Treasury Bill. This is a true gesture of goodwill which signifies the longstanding friendship between Maldives and India,” Foreign Minister Moosa Zameer tweeted.

The Government of India has provided budget support of USD 50 million to the Maldives. The support was in the form of a rollover of USD 50 million Treasury Bill, for an additional year, through the State Bank of India, Male’, from May 13, 2024, the Maldivian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

“Government of India’s decision to rollover the T-Bill came following a request to that effect made by Foreign Minister Moosa Zameer to India’s External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar, during the official bilateral visit to India from May 8-10, the statement said.

The Government of Maldives is highly appreciative of the generous support that the Government of India has been providing to the Maldives in the form of budgetary support. A large number of infrastructural developmental projects and High Impact Community Developmental projects are underway with assistance from the Government of India, which consists of a notable part as grant assistance, the statement said.

The Government of Maldives looks forward to continuing this collaborative partnership for the mutual benefit and prosperity of their people, it said.

Zameer after coming back from the visit said that significant strides have been made in expediting India-assisted projects in the Maldives, as he underscored the government’s commitment to prioritising the resumption and completion of these projects.

It comes amid a downturn in the bilateral ties between the two countries since President Muizzu assumed office in November and immediately asked India to withdraw some 89 Indian military personnel from the country by May 10. The Indian military personnel were operating three aviation platforms in the island nation.

Zameer on Saturday said 76 Indian military personnel were replaced by civilian employees of the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited which manufactured the two helicopters gifted by India, thus also ending the suspense over the exact number of those repatriated at the insistence of Male.

However, the Maldives government has no intention of removing the doctors from India at Senahiya.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)