Maldives Prez Solih
Visits India
- Collaboration
on potential fishing zone forecast capacity building
- Cooperation
in the area of cyber security
- Capacity
building of women development committees and local government authorities of
Maldives
- Cooperation
in disaster management
- USD
41 Mn Buyer’s Credit Agreement to construct police
infrastructure
- Letter
of Intent for Buyer’s Credit financing of 2,000 social housing units
1. The President of the Republic of Maldives, His Excellency
Mr. Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, is on an Official Visit to
India at the invitation of the Prime Minister of the Republic of India, Narendra
Modi.
2. This is President Solih’s third
visit to India since assuming office on 17 November 2018. President Solih is accompanied by a high-level official delegation
comprising His Excellency Mr. Ibrahim Ameer, Minister of Finance, His
Excellency Mr. Fayyaz Ismail, Minister of Economic
Development, Her Excellency Mr. Aishath Mohamed Didi, Minister of Gender, Family and Social Services, and a
business delegation.
3. During the visit, President Solih
had restricted and delegation level talks with Prime Minister Modi in New
Delhi. Prime Minister Modi also hosted an official lunch for President Solih and the accompanying delegation.
4. President Solih also met with
President of the Republic of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu, during the visit and congratulated President Murmu on assuming office as India’s 15th President.
Minister of External Affairs of India, Dr. S. Jaishankar
called on President Solih. During the Mumbai leg of
the visit, Governor of Maharashtra, Shri Bhagat Singh
Koshyari will call on President Solih.
5. The India-Maldives bilateral partnership is underpinned
by geographical proximity, historical, cultural ties and shared values. Prime
Minister Modi underlined that the Maldives occupies a special place in the
hearts of Indians and in India’s "Neighbourhood
First” policy. President Solih reaffirmed his
government’s "India-First Policy”. The two leaders expressed satisfaction
at the rapid expansion of the bilateral partnership in recent years, which has
benefited citizens of both countries. The leaders reiterated their commitment
to further strengthen and deepen this mutually beneficial comprehensive
partnership.
6. President Solih thanked Prime
Minister Modi and the Government of India for standing by the Government and
the people of the Maldives during the Covid-19 pandemic. The medical and
financial assistance from India helped the Maldives overcome the health and
economic fallouts of the pandemic. India was the first partner to gift Covid-19
vaccines to Maldives. Prime Minister Modi congratulated President Solih and the people of the Maldives for their resilience,
the successful vaccination drive and the solid economic rebound post-pandemic.
7. Prime Minister Modi and President Solih
agreed to further deepen institutional linkages for cooperation in the areas of
defence and security, investment promotion, human resource development,
infrastructure development including climate and energy
Economic
Cooperation and People-to-People Ties
8. Both leaders welcomed the growth in people-to-people ties
through implementation of visa-free travel, better air connectivity, exchange programmes, and growing cultural and economic linkages.
India has emerged as the top source for the Maldivian tourism market,
contributing to economic resilience. The leaders acknowledged the role of the
bilateral air travel bubble, created during the pandemic, in the expansion of
tourism ties. The two leaders welcomed the ongoing work to operationalize the
usage of Rupay Cards in Maldives and agreed to
consider further measures to boost bilateral travel and tourism and economic
inter-linkages. Both leaders also acknowledged the valuable contribution of
Indian teachers, nurses, medical workers, doctors, workers, and professionals
in the Maldives. They welcomed the recent launch of National Knowledge Network
in Maldives and directed the officials to work towards expanding its reach
within the country.
9. The two leaders welcomed the engagement among business
leaders from both countries during the visit, noting that fisheries,
infrastructure, renewable energy, tourism, health, and IT among others were key
sectors for greater economic linkages between the two countries through
cross-border investments and partnerships. Both leaders acknowledged India’s
potential as a frontier market for Maldivian tuna products under the SAFTA.
Overall, both leaders expressed satisfaction at the growth in bilateral trade
since 2019. Prime Minister Modi and President Solih
noted the operations of the direct cargo vessel service between India and
Maldives since September 2020 and desired that the service become an enabler of
increased bilateral trade.
Development
Partnership
10. Prime Minister Modi and President Solih
reviewed the remarkable progress achieved in the development partnership domain
despite the COVID-19 pandemic and other global economic challenges.
India-Maldives development partnership has witnessed rapid growth in recent
years and covers large infrastructure projects, community-level grant projects
and capacity building programmes which are based
purely on requirements of the Maldives, implemented through transparent
processes and in a spirit of cooperation between the two Governments.
11. Both leaders participated in the virtual "pouring
of the first concrete” ceremony of the USD 500 mn
Greater Male’ Connectivity Project being built under grant and concessional
loan support from India. The two leaders directed the officials to ensure
timely completion of this largest landmark infrastructure project in Maldives -
that will enhance mobility between Male’, Villingili,
Gulhifalhu and Thilafushi
islands, cut down logistics cost and drive people-centric economic growth-
which will be a symbol of enduring friendship between the two countries.
12. Prime Minister Modi announced offer of a new Government
of India Line of Credit of USD 100 mn to finance
infrastructure projects in Maldives. President Solih
thanked Government of India for this offer and expressed confidence that this
additional fund would enable implementation of several large infrastructure
projects that have been under various stages of discussion.
13. Both leaders reviewed the progress achieved in the
development of the 4,000 social housing units being built in Greater Male under
Buyer’s Credit financing of Exim Bank of India. These housing units are in line
with the Government of Maldives’ focus of providing affordable housing for its
citizens.
14. The two leaders welcomed the approval of Exim Bank of
India Buyer’s Credit funding of USD 119 mn for
construction of another 2000 social housing units in Greater Male and exchange
of a Letter of Intent to this effect between Exim Bank of India and the
Government of Maldives. President Solih expressed
appreciation to the Government of India for the generous assistance for
additional housing units.
15. The two leaders expressed satisfaction at the progress
achieved in other Indian funded projects including the Addu
Roads project, provision of water and sewerage facilities at 34 islands, and
restoration of Hukuru Miskiy
(Friday Mosque). The two leaders welcomed the approval of the revised DPR of
the Gulhifalhu Port Project and directed officials to
commence implementation at the earliest as it will provide world class port
facility for Greater Male’ replacing the existing port and relocation of
facilities from Male’ City. The two leaders also welcomed final approval of the
Indian side for signing of the Hanimaadhoo Airport
Development project EPC contract and expressed happiness that implementation
would commence shortly. The two leaders noted with satisfaction the finalisation of the feasibility report of the Cancer
Hospital building project in Laamu and its financial
closure through the Government of India Line of Credit.
16. Both leaders welcomed the positive contribution to
island communities from the 45 Community Development Projects, being
implemented through grant assistance from India.
17. Prime Minister Modi and President Solih
noted with satisfaction that capacity building and training had emerged as a
key pillar of the bilateral partnership in the past few years. Alongside ITEC
training scheme, hundreds of Maldivians undergo special customized training in
India, facilitated by institutional linkages between civil services, customs
services, parliaments, judiciaries, media, health and education institutes, and
defence and security organisations.
The two leaders welcomed the MoU signed between the
Local Government Authority of Maldives and the National Institute for Rural
Development and Panchayati Raj of India which would
strengthen the capacities of local government institutions in the Maldives.
Defence
and Security
18. The India-Maldives defence and security partnership is
time-tested and is the leading example of regional cooperation in the areas of
transnational crimes and disaster relief. This partnership is a force for
stability in the Indian Ocean Region. Recognizing that the security of India
and the Maldives are inter-linked, the two leaders reiterated their assurance
to be mindful of each other’s concerns on the security and stability of the
region; and to not allow their respective territories to be used for any
activity inimical to the other.
19. The two leaders agreed on energizing cooperation in
maritime safety and security, maritime domain awareness, and, humanitarian
assistance and disaster relief through the implementation of ongoing projects
and capacity building initiatives. Prime Minister Modi reaffirmed India’s
commitment to strengthen cooperation in line with India’s Security and Growth
for All in the Region (SAGAR) vision.
20. Both leaders expressed satisfaction on the speedy
progress made in the pre-construction phase of the Coast Guard Harbour at SIFAVARU. This project would assist the
Government of Maldives in enhancing the capability of Maldives National Defence
Force (MNDF) in exercising jurisdiction and undertaking maritime surveillance
of its EEZ and atolls. Both leaders directed the officials to ensure timely
completion of this project.
21. Prime Minister Modi announced supply of the second
Landing Assault Craft (LCA) and a replacement ship for earlier provided CGS Huravee from Government of India for Maldives National Defence
Force to Government of Maldives. Prime Minister Modi also announced gifting of
24 utility vehicles from Government of India to Maldives National Defence
Force. President Solih thanked Prime Minister Modi
for India’s continuing support for modernisation of
MNDF infrastructure and equipment, through grant assistance and the USD 50 mn Line of Credit facility for defense projects.
22. President Solih thanked Prime
Minister Modi for the assistance in establishing the National College for
Policing and Law Enforcement (NCPLE) at Addu City
which was inaugurated in March 2022.
23. The two leaders welcomed the exchange of Buyers Credit
Agreement for design and construction of 61 police infrastructures across
Maldives that will contribute to improved access to policing and to ensure the
safety and security of the communities in the islands.
24. Both leaders also welcomed the progress achieved in
these areas within the framework of regional and multilateral initiatives.
Prime Minister Modi congratulated President Solih for
the successful hosting of 5th Meeting of Colombo Security Conclave in Male’ in
March 2022 which witnessed membership expansion as well as addition of a new
pillar – Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief – at Maldives’ initiative.
25. The two leaders recalled the success of the 6th Deputy
National Security Advisor’s Meeting of the Member States of Colombo Security
Conclave, held in Kochi last month, and expressed confidence that the 7th
Deputy National Security Advisor’s Meeting to be hosted by the Maldives will
lead to constructive outcomes.
26. The two leaders welcomed the exchange of MoUs on strengthening cooperation in the field of disaster
management, and on cyber security.
27. The leaders condemned terrorism in all its forms and
called for enhanced coordination between the security
agencies of the two countries to thwart radicalisation,
violent extremism, terrorism and narco-trafficking.
While acknowledging progress since the First Meeting of the Joint Working Group
on Counter-Terrorism held in April 2021, the two leaders directed the officials
to further strengthen cooperation in various areas, including cyber- security.
Emerging
Frontiers of Cooperation
28. Environment and Renewable Energy - The leaders
recognized the growing challenges emanating from climate change and agreed to
strengthen cooperation towards mitigation and adaptation bilaterally as well as
in the framework of multilateral initiatives – International Solar Alliance and
Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure. The development of drinking
water and sanitation infrastructure on 34 islands under Government of India
concessional Line of Credit is the largest climate adaptation project being
undertaken in Maldives with international assistance. Prime Minister Modi lauded
the ambitious target set by Maldives to become net zero by 2030 and assured
full support. In this context, the two leaders called on their officials to
strengthen cooperation in the area of renewable energy and grid
inter-connectivity.
29. Sports and youth development- The two leaders
acknowledged the expansion of sports ties, including through gifting of
equipment and training of Maldivian athletes in India. They directed the
officials to take forward the projects for development of sports infrastructure
in the Maldives through the concessional USD40 million Line of Credit facility
for sports infrastructure development. They also noted the inclusion of several
sports development projects among grant funded projects being implemented in
the Maldives. Both leaders welcomed the growing exchanges between youth from
both sides under the MoU on cooperation in sports and
youth affairs signed in 2020.
Cooperation
in Multilateral Forums
30. The leaders agreed on the need for urgent reforms of the
UN bodies, particularly the Security Council. In this regard, Prime Minister
Modi appreciated Maldives’ support for India’s candidature for permanent
membership of an expanded and reformed UN Security Council. President Solih thanked India for support for the Maldives’ candidature
for the Presidency of the seventy-sixth session of the UN General Assembly.
Both leaders also agreed to continue working on multilateral issues of common
concern, at the UN and other international fora.
Agreements/MOUs
31. The leaders witnessed exchange of MoUs/
Agreements in the following areas during the visit:
- Collaboration
on potential fishing zone forecast capacity building
- Cooperation
in the area of cyber security
- Capacity
building of women development committees and local government authorities of
Maldives
- Cooperation
in disaster management
- USD
41 Mn Buyer’s Credit Agreement to construct police
infrastructure
·
-Letter of Intent for Buyer’s Credit
financing of 2,000 social housing units
32. President Solih thanked Prime
Minister Modi for the warmth, cordiality and gracious hospitality extended to
him and members of his delegation during their visit.
33. President Solih reiterated his
invitation to the President of India to make a State Visit to the Maldives.
President Solih also invited the Prime Minister of
India to undertake a visit to the Maldives.