Maldives-India exchange three MoUs in various fields

Maldives and India, on Wednesday, has exchanged thee significant Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) in various fields effectively expanding the cooperation between the two countries

The three MoUs were exchanged at a ceremony held in N. Manadhoo on Wednesday as part of India’s External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar’s ongoing official visit to the Maldives. The ceremony was also attended by his Maldivian counterpart, Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid.

Two out of three MoUs were exchanged between Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Ahmed Khaleel and Indian High Commissioner Munu Mahawar;

MoU for additional grant assistance of MVR 100 million for the High Impact Community Development Project scheme.

As per the Maldivian government, a number of socio-economic development projects are planned to be implemented throughout the country under this funding.

Twenty-five projects under the scheme is presently underway, while two projects have been completed.

MoU for the development of a sports complex in GDh. Gadhdhoo

Foreign Ministry stated that the project will establish a centre which will promote youth empowerment through sports and contribute to community development overall. India will provide MVR 6.5 million for the project.

MoU between Maldives National University (MNU) and Cochin University of Science and Technology

The MoU is on capacity building to facilitate exchanges and cooperative initiative between the two universities in the area of education, research, development instruction, community service, staff and student exchanges.

During Wednesday’s ceremony, two sea ambulances were handed over to the Ministry of Defence of Maldives by the Indian government as part of a project carried out under the High Impact Community Development Project Scheme. Deputy Defense Minister Hassan Zameel received the symbolic token from High Commissioner Mahawar.

Speaking after the exchange of the MoUs – Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid underscored the abundance of assistance provided to the Maldives by India.

In this regard, he detailed the crucial resources provided to the Maldives by India during the COVID-19 pandemic including medicine, vaccine and good. He also noted easements facilitated to Maldivian travelers visiting India.

Jaishankar remarked that the projects carried out in Maldivian islands with India’s assistance makes path to a better lifestyle for locals – which indicates the Indian government’s well-wishes towards Maldivians.

Jaishankar is in the Maldives for the inauguration of HDh. Hanimaadhoo Airport development project.

Hanimaadhoo Airport Development Project was awarded to India’s JMC Projects Limited on August 11, 2022 for USD 136.6 million.

The project financed by Line of Credit from India’s EXIM Bank executed between the Government of Maldives the Bank in 2019 – comprises of a scope of a 2.46-kilometer new runway and a terminal with an annual capacity of 1.3 million passengers.