Male:

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Saturday handed over a major water and sanitation project worth USD 110 million to the Maldives, funded by India. The project spans 28 islands.

S Jaishankar, who is in Male on a three-day official visit from August 9-11, virtually inaugurated the projects during the event.

It was a pleasure to meet @DrSJaishankar today and join him in the official handover of water and sewerage projects in 28 islands of the Maldives. I thank the Government of India, especially Prime Minister @narendramodi for always supporting the Maldives. Our enduring partnership… pic.twitter.com/fYtFb5QI6Q

— Dr Mohamed Muizzu (@MMuizzu) August 10, 2024

While addressing the virtual inauguration, S Jaishankar stated that the development partnership between India and the Maldives is focused on meeting the needs and priorities of the Maldivian people and government.

“Our development partnership is driven by the needs and priorities of the people and the Government of Maldives and is a judicious mix of grants, loans, budgetary support, capacity building and training assistance. We are now entering a phase where many of these projects are getting realized on the ground, delivering tangible benefits to the common people,” said S Jaishankar.

Further, S Jaishankar highlighted the challenges posed by climate change, particularly for small island developing states like the Maldives adding emphasized the importance of addressing freshwater resource availability and access.

He also noted that this initiative aligns with India’s own programs, “Har Ghar Jal” (Water to Every Home) and “Swachha Bharat” (Clean India).

“In our efforts to expand the scope and benefits of development cooperation, we are mindful of the challenges posed by climate change, especially, for small island developing states such as the Maldives, which are even more vulnerable to the vagaries of rising sea levels. One of the immediate concerns is the availability and access of freshwater resources,” said S Jaishankar.

“It has been our objective to provide ecologically sustainable low-cost solutions to our development partners so that they are not only able to access drinking water but also have the capability to treat sewage, thereby, protecting the delicate ecology of these islands and atolls. This finds resonance in our own initiatives in India of ‘Har Ghar Jal’ and ‘Swachha Bharat’ i.e ‘Water to Every Home’ and ‘Clean India,” he added.

This project has brought safe drinking water to so many islands, to 32 islands and introduced a sewerage system in 17 islands.

“I am happy to note that this has directly impacted the lives of 28,000 Maldivians I believe. Under this project, the latest technologies have been used to provide clean drinking water and safe sewerage disposal. In addition, the buildings are also equipped with solar energy providing support to the island grids. With a total funding of USD 110 million, this is the largest climate adaptation implemented in Maldives with international collaboration,” the EAM said.

He also expressed optimism that this project will improve the lives of women on the islands, who are primarily responsible for fetching clean water. “It is also significant to note that the completion of this project has supplemented the Government of Maldive’s endeavours in reaching its Sustainable Development Goals by establishing climate-resilient and cost-effective water and sewerage systems. I am sure that this will go a long way in improving the lives of the women on these islands who bear the primary burden of fetching clean water,” S Jaishankar said.

“India-Maldives development cooperation embodies the motto of our partnership – ‘Imagined by Maldives, Delivered by India’. It will be our endeavour to harness this defining feature of our relationship and scale greater heights. And I hope President with your guidance and encouragement, our joint efforts, our joint activities and our shared vision will form an important milestone in the journey of our two nations together,” he added.

Earlier in the day, S Jaishankar called on Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu on Saturday, reaffirming New Delhi’s commitment to strengthening India-Maldives relations for the benefit of both nations and the wider region.

Maldives President Muizzu thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the government of India for always supporting the island nation.

He further said that the “enduring partnership” between New Delhi and Male continues to bring the two nations closer through cooperation in security, development, and cultural exchange.

EAM S Jaishankar’s visit marks his first visit to the island nation after his re-appointment for the second term.

His visit follows the recent visit of Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu, to India for the swearing ceremony of the new Cabinet and Council of Ministers.

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

Male:

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Saturday said the Maldives is “no ordinary neighbour” of India and emphasised that New Delhi will continue to nurture it and find practical ways of expressing friendship with the archipelagic nation.

Mr Jaishankar also explained how India values its community and the impact that the Indian-origin members have across the globe while interacting with the Indian diaspora here during his three-day official visit.

His visit, the first high-level trip from India, is aimed at resetting the bilateral relationship after pro-China President Mohammad Muizzu assumed office last year.

According to the Indian embassy in the Maldives, the Indian expatriate community in the country has an approximate strength of 27,000. They have a strong presence in the health and education sector. There are Indian unskilled workers and most of them are engaged in the construction sector.

Before the Diaspora event, Mr Jaishankar met President Muizzu and emphasised New Delhi’s commitment to deepen India-Maldives ties for the benefit of the people in the two countries and the region. 

He also virtually inaugurated and handed over to the Maldives a massive water and sanitation project worth USD 110 million funding from India at 28 islands covering seven per cent of its population.

“We say ‘Neighbourhood First’ today under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. We give a lot of attention to the countries of the Indian Ocean. We have a policy called SAGAR. But I do want to say that Maldives is not just an ordinary neighbour,” Mr Jaishankar said.

“And the proof of that is actually in our history. Today, at many of my meetings, the Maldivian side, the minister or the high officials, they reminded me of our (India’s) participation, our contribution to the events in November 1988, which is so important,” he said, in an apparent reference to India’s timely help to avert a coup of ouster of the then elected government following the siege of Male by the Tamil mercenaries from the People’s Liberation of Tamil Eelam (PLOTE).

Mr Jaishankar also listed other examples such as the 2004 Tsunami, a water crisis in Male and the recent Covid-19 vaccination when India stood strong behind its south-western neighbour in the Indian Ocean, and said, “In many cases, I would say our closeness, our friendship, our relationship, they have been expressed by very practical things which you have done, things which are appreciated and remembered and valued.” 

“So when we speak about the relationship, to understand that relationships like between two people, countries, the minds and sentiments of countries are also personal. That people remember, you know when you have been with them in times of difficulty,” he said and added that the relationship (with Maldives) is “a very important part. We will continue to nurture it. We will find practical ways of expressing our friendship.” 

Talking about the widespread Indian diaspora – he said, there are almost three and a half crore NRIs and PIOs across the world – Mr Jaishankar said, “(For the world), India is the Indian that they know. India is the doctor who’s treated them. India is the teacher who’s educated. India is the engineer who has worked with them.” “(So) Under Prime Minister Modi and fully there’s a tremendous focus on the value which the Indian community across the world provides to India. And the reason is … across the world, people take that individual experience. That is something you have done, the contribution you have made, some relationship you have,” he explained.

Talking about the new reality of demography, he said, “If you look at the global demography, definitely in the next five to 10 years, more and more professions in the world will have Indians working there and working there responsibly.” After his remarks, members of the diaspora present put forth their practical difficulties and sought intervention from India to resolve the issues.

India’s Mission head at Male, Munu Mahawar was also present on the occasion.

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

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.