Solih: India will derive no benefit except ease in visa arrangements

India will not derive any benefits from its recent agreements with Maldives expect for ease in visa arrangements, says President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.

Solih made the comment, this Wednesday afternoon, during his first press conference following his State visit to India this week.

Maldives and India signed four documents during Solih’s State visit. They are:

• Agreement on the Facilitation of Visa Arrangements
• Memorandum of Understanding on Cultural Cooperation
• Memorandum of Understanding for establishing Mutual Cooperation to Improve the Ecosystem for Agribusiness
• Joint Declaration of Intent on Cooperation in the field of Information, and Communications Technology and Electronics

Speaking during his first press conference following his State visit to India, this Wednesday afternoon, Solih said India will not derive any benefits from the recent agreements between the two countries expect for ease in visa arrangements for its citizens from Maldives.

“There’s nothing, except for convenience in visa arrangements,” said Solih, when questioned about what India has gained from the agreements in exchange for so many benefits to Maldives.

Solih vowed to bring to an end “a culture of” discrimination against Indian citizens in visa services. And said no foreign worker will face any difficulties in working in Maldives because of his/her nationality.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during Solih’s State visit to India, announced India will provide Maldives with USD 1.4 billion in economic assistance in the form of budgetary support, currency swap and concessional lines of credit.