During a meeting on Tuesday, Maldivian President Ibrahim Solih and Indian Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi hailed the two countries’ “defence and security partnership,” calling it a time-tested friendship and a “leading example” for regional cooperation in the Indian Ocean Region.
The pair said that the security in both countries is “inter-linked” and reaffirmed their commitment to being “mindful of each other’s concerns on the security and stability of the region.” Moreover, they agreed to ensure that their territories are not used for “any activity inimical to the other,” in a thinly-veiled reference to recurrent #IndiaOut protests and the recent Yoga Day attack in the Maldives.
In this regard, they condemned terrorism “in all its forms” and agreed to strengthen cooperation between their security agencies to deter radicalisation, extremism, terrorism, and narco-trafficking.
Addressing the joint press meet with President @ibusolih. https://t.co/IPWxvKlilA
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 2, 2022
To this end, India will deliver 24 vehicles and one naval boat to the Maldives Security Force and issue a buyer’s credit of $41 million to assist in the construction of 61 police facilities. It will also deliver a second landing assault craft.
Solih and Modi also agreed to expand their cooperation on “maritime safety and security, maritime domain awareness, and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief through the implementation of ongoing projects and capacity building initiatives.”
Modi stressed that such initiatives would be subsumed under his Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR) vision.
Had an excellent meeting with President @ibusolih. We got the opportunity to review the full range of relations between our nations. India cherishes the close friendship with Maldives. We are working closely in areas such as skill development, energy, innovation and more. pic.twitter.com/VVybU9iLDh
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 2, 2022
On the topic of defence and security, the two leaders lauded the progress made in the construction of the Coast Guard Harbour at SIFAVARU, which they said would expand the Maldivian National Defence Force’s capacity to control the country’s jurisdiction and undertake maritime surveillance.
A joint statement released following the meeting celebrated India-Maldives’ relations, which it said is based on “geographical proximity, historical, cultural ties and share values.”
In this regard, PM Modi stressed the Maldives’ “special place” in India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy. Similarly, President Solih reaffirmed his commitment to the ‘India-First’ policy.” He also expressed gratitude for India’s support to the Maldives during the COVID-19 pandemic.
India-Maldives cooperation has many dimensions and it is wonderful to see this cooperation bringing a positive difference in people's lives. https://t.co/RDEdEXr9YD
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 2, 2022
In his address, PM Modi said that the India-Maldives partnership is “becoming a source of peace, stability and prosperity for the region” and reassured that India will “continue to be the first responder in any need of crisis of Maldives.”
Apart from defence ties, the pair also discussed advancing their economic cooperation. In this regard, Modi and Solih expressed their support for a new project that seeks to facilitate the use of Indian Rupay cards in the Maldives. Furthermore, they called for greater integration of their economies in the fisheries, health, renewable energy, and infrastructure sectors.
A video of India's development projects in Maldives being shown in presence of PM Modi, President Solih & delegates from the 2 sides. pic.twitter.com/rdQIyrfWB9
— Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) August 2, 2022
In this regard, the duo lauded their development partnership for facilitating “large infrastructure projects, community-level grant projects and capacity building programmes” in the Maldives.
The leaders also participated in a virtual opening ceremony for the $500 million Grater Male Connectivity Project, which is being developed through a $400 million Line of Credit from India’s Exim Bank and a $100 million grant from the Indian government. India-based Afcons Infrastructure Limited will develop the project.
In a similar vein, Modi announced a $100 million Line of Credit for infrastructure development. The Maldivian leader also celebrated the construction of the 2,000 housing units in the Greater Male region and 4,000 housing units in Hulhumalé, the Addu Roads project, water and sewage development projects on 34 islands, and the restoration of the Hukuru Miskiy mosque, all of which were achieved through grants and loans from India.
President Solih and Prime Minister Modi initiate the "Pouring of First Concrete" of the Greater Malé Connectivity Project https://t.co/PEuwPFt5j9
— The President's Office (@presidencymv) August 2, 2022
Apart from existing areas of cooperation, the pair agreed to expand their partnership in climate action and renewable energy, mainly through the International Solar Alliance and the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure. Solih celebrated India’s decision to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2070 and reaffirmed the Maldives’ commitment to achieving the same target by 2030.
They also vowed to jointly push for multilateral reform, particularly of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), with Solih expressing his support for India’s bid for a permanent seat.
Furthermore, Modi and Solih agreed to expand “people-to-people” ties by introducing “visa-free travel, better air connectivity, exchange programmes, and growing cultural and economic linkages.”
"It went very well", Maldives President Solih on his meeting with PM Modi pic.twitter.com/FefDBcxLrg
— Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) August 2, 2022
In addition, they signed several Memorandums of Understanding on issues including cybersecurity, disaster management, and police infrastructure.
Solih also spoke at the India-Maldives Business Forum, wherein he reassured Indian entrepreneurs of the Maldives’ “conducive environment for foreign investment.”
Solih is on a four-day trip to India. Apart from Modi, he has met with President Droupadi Murmu and External Affairs S. Jaishankar. He is also scheduled to meet with several other business leaders and government officials.