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.
Comments
Dear respected Seer
This is all election gimmick.
BJP dont have any Muddah to move with. So they are trying to fool the hindu brothers and sisters by playing with their sentiments. Even the locals both Hindu and muslims of Ayodya doesnt want to communicalise this issue. But BJP and its supporters need to - Why because next year is 2019.
Let the SC decide whom the disputed land belongs to- Why you can't wait llike the minorities???
in the other hand you got full mandate in State as well as in Centre. Why you didn't take action in these 4 and half years like your govt has done for minorities issues like tripple talak, removal of subsidy to haj pilgrimage, etc etc?? and changing the islamic names of cities etc??
Dear Sir - Why now a days you are poking your nose in all political and religious issues!!!!
Being a Hindu, I wont recommend to build such building which is not going help anybody in physical world. Instead of that, build as many as houses for homeless poor people. give jobs to educated as well as uneducated people (not pakoda making)
Dont be religious blind man. or dont act like blind. We all know you took initiative for the Ram Temple. But this is not the time to buit such a useless structure. Modi already wasted crores and again going to waste crores for statues
Dear seer, we respect you. But this trick wont work among us. Do atleast somewthing for poor people. Help people. Temple wont cure diseases and wont fill empty stomach
we will not support you, get los. do you think you are the manager of god.
do you think your god will be happy afetr building temple in this destruction place!!!
what harmony you talking about, do you think hindu can live peacefully after destroying muslim in india. this is your dream. never test the patient of LIONS, number of D@gs does not effect the lion.
28 yesr passed still you cant build, just forget it and move on..
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