‘India will continue to train Maldives soldiers’, said PM Modi, Muizzu invited him to visit Male

New Delhi: Maldives President Mohammad Muizzu, who is on a visit to India, held a bilateral meeting with PM Modi today. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Muizzu inaugurated the runway of Hanimadhoo International Airport in Maldives through virtual medium. During this, Muizzu also invited PM Modi to visit Maldives.

After the meeting, both the leaders issued a joint statement at Hyderabad House. PM Modi said that the relations between India and Maldives are centuries old and India is the closest neighbor and close friend country of Maldives.

Prime Minister Modi said that today we have adopted the Comprehensive Economic and Maritime Security Partnership Vision to give strategic direction to mutual cooperation. Development partnership is an important part of our relations and we have always given priority to the interests of the people of Maldives in this.

400 million dollar currency exchange deal
Referring to the ongoing Indian projects in Maldives, PM Modi said, ‘Today, as per the requirement of Maldives, a currency exchange deal of 400 million US dollars has been signed. India and Maldives will start negotiations on a free trade agreement. We have talked about comprehensive cooperation for the development of infrastructure in Maldives. Today, more than 700 social housing units built with the cooperation of India have been handed over. Maldives has completed water and sewerage projects on 28 islands. These projects will provide clean drinking water to 30 thousand people.’

India has always been there to help Maldives: PM
PM Modi said, ‘Maldives also has an important place in our Neighbourhood First policy and “Sagar” Vision. India has always played the role of First Responder for Maldives. Whether it is meeting the needs of essential commodities for the people of Maldives, providing drinking water during natural disasters, providing vaccines during Covid, India has always fulfilled its responsibility as a neighbor.”

PM Modi said, ‘We discussed various aspects of defense and security cooperation in detail. Work on the Ekta Harbor Project is progressing rapidly. We will continue our cooperation in the training and capacity building of the Maldives National Defense Forces. We will work together for stability and prosperity in the Indian Ocean Region. Cooperation will be increased in hydrography and disaster response.’

Muizzu invited to visit Maldives
During this, Muizzu said, ‘Our new comprehensive vision document includes development, maritime security, trade partnership, energy projects, health etc. I would like to invite Prime Minister Modi to visit Maldives. I would like to thank Prime Minister Modi and the government for providing assistance to Maldives, especially for the recent budgetary assistance. India has stood with Maldives in times of need.’