Male/New Delhi, July 25 (UNI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said Maldives, India’s ‘’closest neighbour,’’ holds an important place in both New Delhi’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ Policy and MAHASAGAR–Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions–Vision.
The Prime Minister who was addressing the press along with Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu after their talks in the Maldivian capital, said India is also proud to be the most trusted friend of Maldives. Be it a disaster or an epidemic, India has always stood by as a ‘First Responder’. Be it providing essential commodities or handling the economy after Covid, India has always worked together.
Earlier the Maldivian President said in his opening statement that the two countries had initiated negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
Prime Minister Modi said mutual cooperation in the field of Defense and security is a sign of mutual trust. ‘’The building of the Ministry of Defense, which is being inaugurated today, is a concrete building of trust. It is a symbol of our strong partnership.’’
He said that to give a new flight to development partnership between the two countries, India had decided to provide a 565 Million US Dollar (about Rs 5000 Crore) ‘Line of Credit’ to the Maldives for projects related to the development of infrastructure in line with the priorities of the people of Maldives.
The four thousand social housing units built with the help of India would become a new beginning for many families in Maldives. With the Greater Male Connectivity Project, Addu road development project and the redeveloped Hanimaadhoo International Airport, this entire region would become a transit route for economic development.
The development of Hanimaadhoo International Airport is likely to be completed by September.
Prime Minister Modi who will be the Guest of Honour tomorrow at the celebration of 60 years of Maldives independence, greeted President Muizzu and the people of Maldives on the occasion.
