Maldives President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih reaffirmed his government’s "India-First Policy”

The India-Maldives defence and security partnership is time-tested and is the leading example of regional cooperation in the areas of transnational crimes and disaster relief, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President of Maldives Ibrahim Mohamed Solih said after their talks in New Delhi on Tuesday.

"This partnership is a force for stability in the Indian Ocean Region," said the joint statement issued after the meeting.

India and the Maldives have also agreed to not allow their respective territories to be used for any activity inimical to the other.

"Recognizing that the security of India and the Maldives are inter-linked, the two leaders reiterated their assurance to be mindful of each other’s concerns on the security and stability of the region; and to not allow their respective territories to be used for any activity inimical to the other," the joint statement said.

During their talks, the two leaders agreed on energizing cooperation in maritime safety and security, maritime domain awareness, and, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief through the implementation of ongoing projects and capacity building initiatives. Prime Minister Modi reaffirmed India’s commitment to strengthen cooperation in line with India’s Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR) vision.

Prime Minister Modi announced supply of the second Landing Assault Craft (LCA) and a replacement ship for earlier provided CGS Huravee from Government of India for Maldives National Defence Force to Government of Maldives.

Prime Minister Modi also announced gifting of 24 utility vehicles from Government of India to Maldives National Defence Force. President Solih thanked Prime Minister Modi for India’s continuing support for modernisation of MNDF infrastructure and equipment, through grant assistance and the USD 50 mn Line of Credit facility for defense projects.

"The leaders condemned terrorism in all its forms and called for enhanced coordination between the security agencies of the two countries to thwart radicalisation, violent extremism, terrorism and narco-trafficking," the joint statement added.

PRESIDENT SOLIH REAFFIRMS HIS GOVERNMENT'S 'INDIA-FIRST POLICY '

The India-Maldives bilateral partnership is underpinned by geographical proximity, historical, cultural ties and shared values, the joint statement pointed out.

Prime Minister Modi underlined that the Maldives occupies a special place in the hearts of Indians and in India’s "Neighbourhood First” policy while President Solih reaffirmed his government’s "India-First Policy”. The two leaders expressed satisfaction at the rapid expansion of the bilateral partnership in recent years, which has benefited citizens of both countries. The leaders reiterated their commitment to further strengthen and deepen this mutually beneficial comprehensive partnership.

President Solih thanked Prime Minister Modi and the Government of India for standing by the Government and the people of the Maldives during the Covid-19 pandemic.

INDIA-MALDIVES DEVELOPMENT PARTNERSHIP

Prime Minister Modi and President Solih reviewed the "remarkable progress" achieved in the development partnership domain despite the COVID-19 pandemic and other global economic challenges, the joint statement said.

The India-Maldives development partnership has witnessed rapid growth in recent years and covers large infrastructure projects, community-level grant projects and capacity building programmes which are based purely on requirements of the Maldives, implemented through transparent processes and in a spirit of cooperation between the two Governments.

In addition to defence and security, India and the Maldives have agreed to further strengthen institutional ties in the fields of investment promotion, human resource development, infrastructure development, climate change, energy, and infrastructure development.

During Tuesday's meeting, Prime Minister Modi announced the offer of a new Government of India Line of Credit of USD 100 mn to finance infrastructure projects in Maldives.

Both leaders participated in the virtual "pouring of the first concrete” ceremony of the USD 500 mn Greater Male’ Connectivity Project being built under grant and concessional loan support from India.

The two leaders directed the officials to ensure timely completion of this largest landmark infrastructure project in Maldives - that will enhance mobility between Male’, Villingili, Gulhifalhu and Thilafushi islands, cut down logistics cost and drive people-centric economic growth- which will be a symbol of enduring friendship between the two countries.

Both leaders reviewed the progress achieved in the development of the 4,000 social housing units being built in Greater Male under Buyer’s Credit financing of Exim Bank of India. These housing units are in line with the Government of Maldives’ focus of providing affordable housing for its citizens.

The two leaders welcomed the approval of Exim Bank of India Buyer’s Credit funding of USD 119 mn for construction of another 2000 social housing units in Greater Male and exchange of a Letter of Intent to this effect between Exim Bank of India and the Government of Maldives

Talks between Prime Minister Modi and President Solih also covered emerging frontiers of cooperation like Environment and Renewable Energy as well as Sports and Youth Development.

During their meeting, the leaders agreed on the need for urgent reforms of the UN bodies, particularly the Security Council.

In this regard, Prime Minister Modi appreciated Maldives’ support for India’s candidature for permanent membership of an expanded and reformed UN Security Council. President Solih thanked India for support for the Maldives’ candidature for the Presidency of the seventy-sixth session of the UN General Assembly. Both leaders also agreed to continue working on multilateral issues of common concern, at the UN and other international fora.

Prime Minister Modi and President Solih witnessed exchange of MoUs/ Agreements in the following areas during the visit:

* Collaboration on potential fishing zone forecast capacity building
* Cooperation in the area of cyber security
* Capacity building of women development committees and local government authorities of Maldives
* Cooperation in disaster management
* USD 41 Mn Buyer’s Credit Agreement to construct police infrastructure
* Letter of Intent for Buyer’s Credit financing of 2,000 social housing units

This is President Solih’s third visit to India since assuming office on November 17, 2018.

In addition to holding confidential and delegation-level discussions with Prime Minister Modi, President Solih also met with President Droupadi Murmu and congratulated her on assuming office as India’s 15th President.

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar called on President Solih. During the Mumbai leg of the visit, Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari will call on President Solih.

President Solih is accompanied by a high-level official delegation comprising His Excellency Mr. Ibrahim Ameer, Minister of Finance, His Excellency Mr. Fayyaz Ismail, Minister of Economic Development, Her Excellency Mr. Aishath Mohamed Didi, Minister of Gender, Family and Social Services, and a business delegation.