Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu at the President’s Office in Male on Friday, marking a diplomatic milestone during his visit to commemorate the 60th anniversary of Maldives’ independence and six decades of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Reflecting on the partnership, the two leaders reviewed progress on the India-Maldives Joint Vision for a ‘Comprehensive Economic and Maritime Security Partnership’ that was adopted during President Muizzu’s state visit to India in October 2024. PM Modi reiterated India’s commitment to deepening engagement with Maldives in line with the “Neighbourhood First” and “Vision MAHASAGAR” doctrines.
President Muizzu, in turn, acknowledged India’s consistent support as the “first responder” in times of crisis, and both leaders discussed avenues for enhanced cooperation across infrastructure development, capacity building, health, climate action, and disaster preparedness. They also reviewed maritime security collaboration under the Colombo Security Conclave framework.
On the economic front, Prime Minister Modi emphasised the importance of concluding a proposed Free Trade Agreement and a Bilateral Investment Treaty to unlock new trade and investment opportunities. He also welcomed recent steps toward digital integration, including agreements for the use of India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI), RuPay card acceptance, and local currency trade mechanisms, with a view to boosting tourism and digital commerce.
Six Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were exchanged across key areas such as fisheries, aquaculture, meteorology, digital public infrastructure, pharmacopoeia, and a concessional Line of Credit. A new Line of Credit, amounting to approximately ₹4,850 crore (about USD 550 million), was announced for infrastructure and other developmental activities in Maldives. An amended agreement on existing lines of credit was also signed, bringing down Maldives’s annual debt repayment by 40%, from USD 51 million to USD 29 million.
The leaders jointly inaugurated a roads and drainage project in Addu City and six High Impact Community Development Projects across various cities. PM Modi also handed over 3,300 social housing units and 72 vehicles intended for the Maldives National Defence Force and immigration authorities.
In a gesture of medical diplomacy, India gifted two units of Aarogya Maitri Health Cubes (BHISHM) to the Maldives. These mobile health units, equipped with modern medical devices, can support 200 casualties and sustain six personnel for up to 72 hours.
Further underlining shared environmental goals, PM Modi and President Muizzu planted mango saplings, symbolising India’s “Ek Pedh Maa Ke Naam” campaign and the Maldives’ “Pledge of 5 Million Trees” initiative.
Prime Minister Modi also thanked President Muizzu for his condemnation of the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam and for expressing solidarity with India’s fight against terrorism.
