Maldives to support India for UNSC

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, has said that the Maldives is going to support India to become a member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC)

On his ongoing state visit, President Solih held discussions with the Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi. A joint statement issued by the two countries after the meeting said that President Solih has assured the Indian Prime Minsiter that India would receive full support from the Maldives for India to become a member of the UNSC.

Countries working to become a permanent member of the UNSC include Germany, Brazil and Japan.

It was also announced that India has made the decision to provide Maldives with USD 1.4 billion in credit support.

“India will provide Maldives with economic assistance of USD 1.4 billion in the form of budgetary support, currency swap and concessional lines of credit,” announced Modi.

The Indian Prime Minister did provide any details regarding the credit line as to the interest rate or the payment period.

India also pledges assistance to Maldives in human resource development, housing, infrastructure development, healthcare, education, tourism and culture.

“India has made the decision to provide 1000 additional slots over the next 5 years for training and capacity building,” said Modi.

The fields include judiciary, policing and law-enforcement, audit and financial management, local governance, community development, IT, e-governance, sports, media, youth and women empowerment, leadership, innovation and entrepreneurship, arts and culture.

He also welcomed the Agreement on Visa Facilitation signed this Monday afternoon and said the agreement will strengthen the ties between the two countries.

The Idnain Prime Minister thanked President Solih for accepting his invitation and choosing India to make his first State visit, which he said was a symbolic gesture of the close ties between the two countries.