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India-Maldives Relations

Published: 10th Aug, 2022

Context

Prime Minister of India and President of Maldives held one on one delegation level talks in New Delhi.

Background

  • India and Maldives share ethnic, linguistic, cultural, religious and commercial links.
  • India was among the first to recognize the Maldives after its independence in 1965 and later established its mission at Male in 1972.
  • Maldives’ proximity to the west coast of India and its situation at the hub of commercial sea-lanes running through the Indian Ocean, and its potential to allow a third nation’s naval presence in the area imbues it with significant strategic importance to India.
  • India has a pre-eminent position in the Maldives, with relations extending to virtually most areas.
  • India’s policy of ‘Neighbourhood First’ and Maldives’ policy of ‘India First’ seem to be in absolute sync with each other.

Key Highlights of the meeting:

  • Both sides reviewed bilateral ties and discussed ways to strengthen linkages in areas of development partnership, trade, and connectivity and P2P ties, among others.
  • Reviewed projects for the construction of 4,000 social housing units in Greater Male.
  • Six agreements were exchanged following the delegation level talks in areas including cyber security, disaster management, and infrastructure.
  • The India Maldives development cooperation including Addu roads and reclamation, water and sanitation in 34 islands and Friday Mosque restoration projects was reviewed.

What is the Greater Male Connectivity Project?

It is the largest civilian infrastructure project in the Maldives. The project will connect the Maldives’ capital Male with three islands:

  • Villingili
  • Gulhifalhu
  • Thilafushi

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