India Maldives Sign two MoU on Cooperation during S.Jaishankar Visit

India and the Maldives have decided to strengthen their bilateral relations by signing two memorandums of understanding (MoU) during the visit of External Affairs Minister S. Jaishnakar. Dr S. Jaishanker was on a three-day visit to the Maldives from 9 to 11 August 2024. 

Dr Jaishankar's visit was the first by an Indian minister to the Maldives since the  Mohamed Muizzu government came to power in November 2023.

Relations between India and the Maldives were strained due to President Muizzu's pro-China policies and his association with the India Out campaign in the Maldives.

Jaishankar's Visit to Maldives 

During his official visit to the Maldives, Dr. Jaishankar met President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu and Maldivian Foreign Minister Moosa Zameer.

He also met a delegation from the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) led by its President, Abdulla Shahid.

As part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s  ‘Ek Ped Maa ke Naam’ initiative and President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s 5 Million Tree Project, Dr Jaishankar, along with Maldivian Foreign Minister Moosa Zameer and Environment Minister Thoriq Ibrahim, planted a sapling at the Lonuziyaaraiy Park in Male.

Two MoUs signed between India and Maldives 

During the visit of Dr Jaishnakar two Memorandum of Understanding were signed between the two countries. 

• India will train 1000  Maldivian civil servants during the 2024-2029  period.
• The Indian payment system, Unified Payment Interface (UPI) will be introduced in Maldives.

For details about India-Maldives ties, click here

Jaishankar Inaugurated India assisted Project in Maldives. 

• In the presence of President  Muizzu, Dr S.Jaishankar and Maldivian Foreign Minister Moosa Zameer jointly inaugurated the Indian-funded project of a water and sewerage network in 28 islands of the Maldives.
• He also inaugurated the Indian-funded Addu Detour Link Bridge Project and the Addu Reclamation and Shore Protection Project.
• He also visited the Indian-funded Greater Male Connectivity Project (GMCP) site that will connect Male with the adjoining islands of Villingili, Gulhifalhu and Thilafushi. 
• Six High-Impact Community Development Projects (HICDPs) related to mental health, special education, speech therapy, and street lighting, which are funded by Indian grants, were also inaugurated.

Capital of Maldives:: Male 

Currency: Rufiyaa

President: Mohamed Muizzu