India takes great pride in being the Maldives’ “most trusted friend,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Friday, reaffirming New Delhi’s deep-rooted partnership with the Indian Ocean nation. Speaking alongside Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu during a joint press statement in Male, PM Modi emphasised the Maldives’ central role in India’s Neighbourhood First policy and its MAHASAGAR vision for maritime cooperation.
The remarks came as PM Modi visited the Maldives as the Guest of Honour for the country’s 60th Independence Day celebrations. Congratulating the people of Maldives on the historic milestone, he thanked President Muizzu for the warm invitation and recalled the long-standing ties between the two nations.
“This year, India and Maldives are also celebrating 60 years of their diplomatic relations. But, the roots of our relations are older than history and as deep as the sea,” PM Modi said. He highlighted the release of commemorative stamps featuring traditional boats of both countries as a symbolic reflection of shared heritage and neighbourly ties.
PM Modi underscored India’s unwavering support to the Maldives in times of crisis. “Be it a natural disaster or a pandemic, India has always stood with Maldives as a first responder. From providing essential commodities to supporting economic recovery post-COVID, our relationship is built on friendship first,” he said.
Stressing on mutual trust in the defence and security partnership, PM Modi noted the inauguration of the Maldives Defence Ministry building as a concrete symbol of that trust. A giant portrait of PM Modi displayed on the building marked the occasion.
To bolster economic ties, PM Modi announced a new Line of Credit of USD 565 million to the Maldives. He said both nations are now seeing results from the vision shared in October last year during President Muizzu’s visit to India, including significant progress in infrastructure and housing projects.
He cited key projects such as 4,000 social housing units built with Indian assistance, the Greater Male Connectivity Project, Addu Road Development Project, and the redevelopment of Hanimaadhoo International Airport as transformative initiatives that would boost connectivity and economic growth across the archipelago.
“With the ferry system soon in place, island connectivity will become faster and easier. We’ll measure distances by ferry time, not GPS coordinates,” PM Modi said.
In the economic sphere, the Prime Minister said efforts are underway to finalise a Bilateral Investment Treaty and to explore a Free Trade Agreement. He added that direct Rupee-Rufiyaa trade through a local currency settlement system will strengthen bilateral trade, while the growing popularity of UPI in Maldives will support tourism and retail sectors.
On regional and global issues, PM Modi reaffirmed India’s commitment to maritime security through the Colombo Security Conclave and highlighted climate change as a shared concern. “We will promote renewable energy and share India’s expertise with the Maldives,” he said.
PM Modi’s visit, his third to the Maldives, also marks the first by any head of state or government since President Muizzu took office.
-IANS
