- By Vivek Raj
- Sat, 10 Aug 2024 11:22 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar arrived in Male on Friday for a three-day official visit to strengthen India-Maldives relations. This visit marks the first high-level engagement since President Mohamed Muizzu’s administration took office last year, following a period of strained relations between the two countries.
Earlier this year, tensions rose when Maldivian officials made derogatory remarks about Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and President Muizzu reiterated demands for the removal of Indian military personnel from the Maldives. Muizzu's pro-China stance and the ‘India Out’ campaign to remove Indian troops had previously affected diplomatic ties.
Recent efforts to mend relations include India's extension of a 50 million dollars loan to the Maldives and the removal of export restrictions on essential items like potatoes, onions, and rice. These actions have benefitted the Maldives' construction sector.
ALSO READ: Manish Sisodia Enjoys 'First Tea Of Freedom’ With Wife After 17 Months In Tihar Jail
In June, President Muizzu also attended Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s swearing-in ceremony and described his first official visit to India as a “success".
During Jaishankar’s visit, Jaishankar will meet President Mohamed Muizzu and discuss bilateral cooperation.
In a joint press conference with Moosa Zameer, Jaishankar said that the India-Maldives partnership is central to India's 'Neighbourhood First' policy and Vision SAGAR.
"Maldives is one of the cornerstones of our 'Neighbourhood First' policy, it is also one of our Vision SAGAR, as well as of our commitment to the Global South. To put it succinctly in the words of my Prime Minister Narendra Modi – for India, neighbourhood is a priority and, in the neighbourhood, Maldives is a priority," he said.
ALSO READ: PM Modi’s Wayanad Visit Today, To Oversee Relief Efforts And Meet Affected Families
On Friday, Jaishankar and Maldivian Foreign Minister Moosa Zameer inaugurated six significant projects covering street lighting, mental health, children's speech therapy, and special education. Additionally, an MoU was signed between the National Payments Corporation of India and the Maldives' Ministry of Economic Development and Trade to introduce a digital payment system in the Maldives.
Additional activities include the virtual inauguration and handover of water and sewerage projects across 28 islands, and a physical tour of the Addu reclamation project and the Addu detour link bridge.