While visiting the Indian Ocean archipelago, Prime Minister Narendra Modi opened talks with the Maldives and announced a $565 million credit line.
Modi’s two-day trip, which started on Friday, aims to strengthen India’s influence-related development partnership with the Maldives, where India and China compete for influence.
The credit line, according to the Indian Prime Minister, is essential to achieving that objective.
He added that the two nations would also finalize a bilateral investment agreement, adding that “this will be used for projects related to infrastructure development in line with the Maldivian people’s priorities.”
Modi, who is visiting the Maldives for the first time since winning a third term last year, also emphasized that India will continue to serve as the “first responder” for the nation, which has a population of about 525, 000.
He declared that India would continue to assist the Maldives in improving its defenses.
Our common objectives are “peace, stability, and prosperity in the Indian Ocean region.”
Following the 2023 election of President Mohamed Muizzu on a pro-Indian platform, India was concerned that the Maldives was heading for China’s orbit.
Muizzu has resisted tradition by choosing to travel to China before visiting India since becoming president.
A small group of Indian military personnel who operated two search-and-rescue helicopters and a fixed-wing reconnaissance aircraft based in the archipelago were also helped by him.
Before India helped stop the $7.5bn economy from defaulting on its debt as the Maldives struggled to attract tourists to its white-sand beaches and luxurious resorts, Muizzu’s actions briefly strained relations with New Delhi.
Since then, Muizzu has visited India and toned down his anti-Indian rhetoric. In New Delhi, he also met Modi twice last year, with both leaders promising to start a “new chapter” in bilateral relations.
The credit line from India will be used, according to Muizzu’s statement on Friday, to strengthen Maldives’ security forces as well as to enhance housing, healthcare, and education.
He said that India’s continued support for the Maldives through the export of essential commodities is a crucial component of our bilateral cooperation.
After attending the nation’s celebrations on its 60th anniversary in Male, Modi is scheduled to leave the archipel on Saturday.
Source: Aljazeera
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