Union Minister Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) undertook an official visit to Maldives for 3 days from August 9 to 11, 2024, followed the recent visit of H. E. Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, the President of Maldives to India in June 2024, to strengthen India-Maldives relations and review ongoing projects.
- It is his second visit to Maldives. He had previously visited Maldives in January 2023.
- The visit underscores the Maldives as a key partner in India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy and ‘Security and Growth for All in the Region’ (SAGAR) vision.
Highlights of the visit:
During the visit, Dr. S Jaishankar met Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, President of Maldives, and Moosa Zameer, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Maldives and other officials of Maldives in Malé, Maldives.
i.He inaugurated several key projects and signed several MoUs in Maldives.
ii.He also reviewed India-assisted Greater Male Connectivity Project (GMCP) site, which will connect Malé with the adjoining islands of Villingili, Gulhifalhu, and Thilafushi.
iii.He also planted a sapling at the Lonuziyaaraiy Park as part of the Government of India’s ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ initiative and President Muizzu’s 5 Million Tree Project.
Water & Sanitation Projects:
Union Minister Dr S. Jaishankar, MEA, virtually delivered a major water and sanitation project which spans 28 islands of the Maldives and the facilities implemented across the islands were undertaken through the EXIM Line Of Credit (LOC).
- With a total funding of USD 110 million, this is the largest climate adaptation implemented in Maldives with international collaboration.
Note: EXIM LOC is a financing mechanism offered by the Export-Import Bank of India (EXIM Bank), Ministry of Finance (MoF).
Key Highlights:
i.The project provides safe drinking water to 32 islands and introduces a sewerage system in 17 islands.
ii.Additionally, the buildings are also equipped with solar energy support, enhancing the island grids.
iii.This project supports reaching the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of Maldives by establishing climate-resilient and cost-effective water and sewerage systems.
- The project is expected to significantly improve the lives of women primarily responsible for fetching clean water.
High Impact Community Development Projects (HICDPs):
Union Minister Dr S. Jaishankar, MEA, and Mr. Moosa Zameer, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Maldives, inaugurated 6 High Impact Community Development Projects (HICDPs), enhancing cooperation between the two nations in Malé, Maldives.
- 6 HICDPs inaugurated were focused on street lighting, mental health, children’s speech therapy, and special education.
About the 6 HICDPs:
i.A Mental Health Unit (MHU) in Ungoofaaru and the Child Development Centre (CDC) in Kulhudhuffushi;
ii.Inclusive Education Support Units in Thinadhoo, Gan and Dhidhdhoo;
iii.Streetlights in the islands of Thimarafushi, Veymandoo and Kondey is directly linked to the communities of these islands.
- These projects enrich the lives of the people and also enhance the well-being of the respective communities.
Key India-Aided Projects in Maldives’ Addu City
India and Maldives jointly inaugurated India funded several infrastructure projects in Addu City, Maldives in a ceremony at Addu High School in Hithadhoo. These 2 projects, valued at USD 80 million, were financed under the Indian EXIM Bank’s LOC Facility.
- These projects include the completion and handover of the land reclamation and shore protection project and the inauguration of the Hankede Bridge linking Gaukedi and Maradhoo.
- A USD 70 million project for Addu’s road and drainage system redevelopment with Indian support is in its final phase.
Key Points:
i.The Addu reclamation project has successfully reclaimed 184 hectares of land. The Addu City land reclamation and coastal protection project was awarded to Van Oord India Private Limited(VOIPL), Mumbai(Maharashtra).
ii.With the reclamation of the Hithadhoo Zone 2 area, Hithadhoo now boasts the largest artificial beach in the Maldives.
- Additionally, 3 islands, totaling 8.3 hectares, were reclaimed in the lagoon as part of efforts to expand tourism in Addu City.
iii.Hankede Bridge or the 4-lane detour link road linking Gaukedi and Maradhoo was constructed by India’s Afcons Infrastructure Limited, Mumbai(Maharashtra).
iii.The link road connecting Maradhoo to Hithadhoo around Hankede Island was a major component of the “Design and Build of Construction of Roads and Drainage System in Addu City Project.”
- The 1.46-kilometer (km) link road connecting Maradhoo and Hithadhoo via Hankede is the 1st such bridge to be developed outside the Malé region.
MoU Signed Between India & Maldives
MoU to Introduce UPI in Maldives :
India and the Maldives have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to introduce the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) in the Maldives. UPI’s introduction is expected to boost the Maldivian tourism industry, which is crucial to the nation’s economy.
- UPI, developed by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), facilitates instant real-time digital, and integrated transactions via mobile phones.
Note: Tourism is the main source of economic activity for the Maldives, contributing nearly 30% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and generating more than 60% of Foreign exchange (Forex or FX).
India & Maldives Renew MoU to Train 1,000 CSOs from 2024 to 2029
Union Minister, Dr. S. Jaishankar, MEA, and Mr. Moosa Zameer, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Maldives, renewed the MoU for capacity building of 1,000 Maldivian Civil Service Officers (CSOs) from 2024 to 2029, in Malé, as part of the development partnership discussions between both the nations.
- Under the guidance of the MEA, the National Centre for Good Governance (NCGG) trained 1,000 Maldivian civil servants, including high-level delegates, in field administration from 2019 to 2024.
- The renewed MoU aims to further enhance public policy, governance, and field administration, strengthening the ties between India and the Maldives.
Note: In 2019, as part of the capacity-building initiatives, an MoU was signed between the NCGG, GoI, and the Maldives Civil Service Commission (CSC), Maldives, for Capacity-Building Programs (CBPs) for 1000 Maldivian Civil Servants.
Recent related News:
Union Minister Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Government of India (GoI), was on a 2-day official visit to the Republic of Mauritius from 16 July to 17 July 2024.
About Maldives:
Capital– Malé
President– Mohamed Muizzu
Currency– Maldivian Rufiyaa
