Maldives on Jaishankar visit inaugurates India-funded projects
Maldivian foreign minister Moosa Zameer and his visiting Indian counterpart Dr S Jaishankar inaugurated some of the completed projects.
Several projects carried out in Maldives with Indian assistance have been officially inaugurated on Friday.
India and Maldives launched several projects under the High Impact Community Development Projects (HICDP) in the last few years. Maldivian foreign minister Moosa Zameer and his visiting Indian counterpart Dr S Jaishankar inaugurated some of the completed projects.
The projects inaugurated at a ceremony held at the foreign ministry include:
-
For the education of children with disabilities, inclusive education support units at HA. Dhidhoo school, Ihadhdhoo School in L. Gan, and Abu Bakr School in GDh. Thinadhoo
-
Mental health unit at R. Ungoofaru regional hospital
-
Installation of street lights in Th. Thimarafushi and Veymandoo as well as GA. Kondey
Inclusive education and street lighting projects were announced in 2021. Mental health units and child development units were announced during Jaishankar's visit to Maldives in 2022.
In addition, two agreements were signed at the ceremony:
-
1-
MoU between National Payments Corporation of India and Maldives' economic ministry on introduction of digital payment system in the Maldives
-
2-
Renewal of MoU between National Centre for Good Governance and Civil Services Commission on training of additional 1000 civil services officers
Speaking at the ceremony, Jaishankar said India attaches great importance to maintaining close relations and providing assistance to Maldives. Every time he visits Maldives, he meets with various relevant agencies and identifies key areas where assistance is needed, he said.
Jaishankar said he will also meet officials from the economic ministry, finance ministry and defence ministry to discuss various issues.
Jaishankar's visit is the first official visit by an Indian minister to Maldives in the government of President Muizzu, who was sworn in November.
Jaishankar's visit shows that Maldives-India relations are recovering.
Withdrawal of Indian troops from Maldives and the insulting comments of three Maldivian deputy ministers on social media to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi have further strained relations with India.
