New Delhi: Seeking to strengthen bilateral ties, India and the Maldives on Monday inked a currency swap agreement to the tune of $400 million, a move that would help the archipelago nation overcome foreign exchange reserve issues.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and visiting Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu also launched Rupay card in the Maldives, inaugurated the new runway at the Hanimadhoo International airport and agreed to further strengthen bilateral relations that had hit a rocky patch last year.
Muizzu, who is on a four-day state visit, held talks with Prime Minister Modi at the Hyderabad House here.
After the talks, India also handed over 700 social housing units to the Maldives built under the EXIM Bank’s buyer’s credit facilities.
"Today, we have inaugurated the redeveloped Hanimaadhoo Airport. Now, the Greater Male Connectivity Project will also be expedited. We will also support the development of a new commercial port in Thilafushi," Modi told reporters here with Muizzu by his side.
Modi said India and Maldives have decided to initiate discussion on the Free Trade Agreement to further strengthen economic ties.
The prime minister described Maldives as a "close friend" which had an important position in India's neighbourhood policy and SAGAR vision.
"India has always fulfilled the responsibilities of a neighbour. Today, we have taken up the vision of a comprehensive economic and maritime security partnership to give our mutual cooperation a strategic direction," Modi said.
Earlier, Muizzu was accorded a ceremonial welcome at the Rashtrapati Bhawan by President Droupadi Murmu. Prime Minister Modi was also present on the occasion.
Muizzu was given a tri-services guard of honour before he drove down the Rajghat to offer his respects at the memorial to Mahatma Gandhi.
The ties between India and the Maldives came under severe strain since Muizzu, known for his pro-China leanings, took charge of the top office in November.
Muizzu won the presidential election last year on the 'India out' campaign and asked New Delhi to withdraw its military personnel posted in the archipelago nation by May this year.
The bilateral ties also hit a rocky patch when Maldivian ministers were critical of Modi. However, Muizzu has since toned down his anti-India stance and even sacked ministers who were critical of the Indian prime minister.
As the Maldives was grappling with a serious economic downturn, India has decided to extend vital budgetary support to the Maldives government with the rollover of a $50 million Treasury Bill for another year.
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aree bhai.... animals are not our parents.... Muslims dont worship animalsss... go and take all cows from your modiji's freinds who are exporting your mata to other countries..... they are in cow trafficking......
How about your uncles of Al Kabeer Beef exporter. Your for uncle is chipanjee so what we will convert as chipanji and stay in jungle.
Stop non sense and be like a human don't try to spoil HINDU religion.
Hope you and your Head quarter manage to understand above message.
I am sure that this bjp leader Ranjit has completely gone mad and it will be better for bjp to kick him out from the party. His baseless + senseless statement will lead to riot. Hence,. he shuld be arrested under terrorist / goonda act immediately. According to scientiest Darwin, human being are coming from apes / monkeys. Based on this, ancistors of this hate monger were apes / monkeys. I would like to know when this hate monger will go to jungle to stay with his ancistors. We will give nice party to him. Why this hate monger is not caring about cows which are let lose in the roads and dying due to hunger. Why dont he take care of them. He is only after the cows which muslims are taking care. As cows are his Matas, he should visit to other countries also to take care of them. Why is not bothered about hundreds of cows being slaughtered for beef export by sangh exporters in Gujrat. Why he has double standard. I doubt he is one of the beef exporters and making crores and low being expressed for cow is a jumla like his Master. Has he dare enough to agitate in front of beef exporting houses in Gujrat. He will be kicked out if he does so. Shame on you guy. Be a human being first. Live and let live others. There is limit for everything . Dont cross the limit.
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