India’s External Affairs Minister (EAM) Dr S Jaishankar will be travelling to Maldives next month. This will be the first ministerial visit from New Delhi to Malé since the new Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu’s government took charge in November of last year.
EAM Jaishankar is expected to be in the country, likely from August 9 onwards for two to three days, in a visit in which he will hold key talks with his Maldivian counterpart Moosa Zameer and meet President Muizzu.
The visit is significant as Delhi-Malé relations gain momentum after an initial period of strain in ties.
The last three months have seen three key visits from Maldives to India. First by Maldives FM Zameer to Delhi in May this year. This visit was followed by the visit of Maldives President Muizzu to attend the oath-taking ceremony of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his 3rd term in June at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
Currently, the Maldives Tourism Minister Ibrahim Faisal is on an India visit for roadshows in Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru to attract Indian tourists.
On Tuesday (July 30), the Maldives tourism minister met, with his Indian counterpart Gajendra Singh, and India’s Civil Aviation Minister, Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu.
Chairman of ‘Visit Maldives’ and President of Maldives Association of Travel Agents & Tour Operators (MATATO), Abdulla Ghiyas, while speaking to WION expressed hope to get 200,000 Indian tourists to Maldives by year-end.
Last week, Maldives President Muizzu thanked India for the debt relief that has economically helped his country and hoped for a free trade agreement with Delhi.
A press statement from the Maldives president’s office, referring to comments by President Muizzu said India helped in “easing the Maldives’ debt repayment, thereby enabling the country to ensure economic sovereignty”. Delhi, despite the initial downward trend in ties, continued its support in terms of debt repayment issues or supply of essential commodities.
During this year’s Budget for FY 2024-2025, the Indian government allocated ₹400 crore for the country, for infrastructure development and community projects. India has been actively involved in several infrastructure and development projects in the Maldives.
Also watch | Indian tourist numbers slump in Maldives
One of the most significant projects is the Greater Male Connectivity Project (GMCP), which involves the construction of a 6.74 km long bridge and causeway link between the capital city Malé, and the nearby islands of Villingli, Gulhifalhu, and Thilafushi. This project is funded by a grant of $100 million and a Line of Credit of $400 million from India.
Delhi has been involved in other projects such as the development of the Gulhifalhu Port, and the airport development at Hanimaadhoo.
Plans are afoot for Maldives President’s India visit as well, likely in September with dates still to be decided.
Sidhant Sibal
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