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PM Modi Maldives Visit 2025: India and the Maldives on Friday signed eight crucial agreements spanning key sectors such as infrastructure, digital transformation, fisheries, defence, and debt repayment, marking a major boost to the strategic partnership between the two neighbouring nations. The agreements were exchanged in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu in Male, during PM Modi’s ongoing two-day State visit. The visit coincides with the 60th anniversary of the Maldives’ independence and the 60th year of diplomatic relations between India and the Maldives, lending historic significance to the occasion.

Eight Agreements Seal Strategic Partnership

In an X (formerly Twitter) post, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has declared the signing of eight agreements, including:

• A Rs 4,850 crore Line of Credit (approximately USD 550 million)
• Amendatory agreement cutting Maldives' debt payment by 40% (from USD 51 million to 29 million)
• Aquaculture and fisheries cooperation
• Digital public infrastructure such as UPI and RuPay integration
• Meteorological cooperation
• Cooperation on the Indian Pharmacopoeia
• Exchange of Terms of Reference for a proposed Free Trade Agreement (FTA)
• Bilateral agreement on investment promotion

Confirming the updates, the President's Office of the Maldives reported, "President Muizzu witnessed the signing of key MoUs and reaffirmed commitment to a forward-looking partnership."

Modi-Muizzu Talks Emphasise Maritime Security, Economic Vision

The agreements set the stage for high-level talks between PM Modi and President Muizzu, where both leaders reviewed the progress under the India-Maldives Joint Vision for a Comprehensive Economic and Maritime Security Partnership. Prime Minister Modi reaffirmed India's firm commitment to the Maldives under the "Neighbourhood First" and "Vision MAHASAGAR" policies to induce peace and prosperity in the Indian Ocean Region. President Muizzu praised India's position as the "First Responder" in times of crisis and appreciated the ongoing support from New Delhi in development, infrastructure, capacity development, and healthcare.

Both sides stressed the potential for change with digital integration, welcoming the use of UPI, RuPay card acceptance, and local currency trade. These measures are expected to ease transactions for Indian tourists and deepen fintech cooperation. The leaders also reiterated sustained cooperation in defence and maritime security, including cooperation under the Colombo Security Conclave. While recognizing their common duties as part of the Global South, both countries committed to collaboration on climate change, renewable energy, and disaster risk reduction. In a symbolic environmental act, both prime ministers planted mango saplings under India's "Ek Pedh Maa Ke Naam" movement and the Maldives' "Pledge of 5 Million Tree Plantation."

The two leaders virtually inaugurated the following during the visit:
• A roads and drainage project in Addu City
• Six High-Impact Community Development Projects (HICDPs) in different parts

PM Modi also handed over:
• 3,300 social housing apartments
• 72 Maldives National Defence Force and immigration vehicles
• Two Aarogya Maitri Health Cubes (BHISHM), each with a capacity to treat 200 casualties and accommodate six medical personnel for 72 hours

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At a ceremonial banquet hosted in his honour, PM Modi described the relationship as “a bond of deep cultural affinity”. “India-Maldives relations are centuries old. This is not just diplomacy but a relation of deep affinity,” he said, noting linguistic and culinary similarities. He also shared that the 1 millionth tourist to the Maldives this year was an Indian, reflecting the growing people-to-people ties.

PM Modi’s Historic Milestone Recognised by Maldives

President Muizzu congratulated PM Modi on his achievement of serving 4,078 consecutive days in office, making him the second-longest-serving Prime Minister of India in continuous terms—a record higher than that of Indira Gandhi. "This significant achievement is a demonstration of your unstinting devotion to public service and the advancement of the Indian people," stated President Muizzu. Modi, India's first post-independence and longest-serving Prime Minister from a non-Hindi-speaking state, took office on May 26, 2014, and has now completed 11 years and 60 days.

ALSO READ: '60 Years Of Ties’: PM Modi Meets President Muizzu In Maldives, Gets Ceremonial Welcome | Pics

Prime Minister Modi emphasized that the Free Trade Agreement and the Bilateral Investment Treaty would open up new economic possibilities. The visit reaffirmed India's role in regional stability and development in South Asia. “We are neighbours, partners, and true friends who stand together in times of need,” Modi said as he concluded the day’s engagements.

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