President of the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) Abdulla Shahid met the External Affairs Minister today. He was accompanied by Parliamentary Group Leader Mohamed Nazil, Vice President Hisan Hussein, Youth Wing President Riqa Shiham, Foreign Relations Committee Members Aminath Shauna and Hussein Shaheem, and Secretary General Shazly Shafeeq.

The Maldives-India relationship has always been based on the principles of mutual respect, respect for international law, territorial integrity, a common desire for regional security, and an open and peaceful Indian Ocean. The Maldives has always been confident that India will always be the first responder any time the Maldives “dials an international 911”.

The current government’s initial stoking of anti-India sentiments through aggressive slogans, mockery and the branding of a time-tested friend and development partner as a regional bully, has caused a decline in the Maldives international standing, economic loss, and many other unnecessary difficulties, and challenges.

With this in mind, the MDP welcomes the sudden recalibration of the Maldives-India policy of President Muizzu’s government, from its previous India Out policy. The MDP hopes that this shift will not be temporary or superficial, but consistent and meaningful in the best interests of the people of the Maldives. Further, the MDP calls on the Government of President Muizzu to issue a public apology to the people of the Maldives for the actions, lies and irresponsible comments from its officials which have resulted in significant damage to the Maldives foreign and economic outlook.

The MDP thanked the External Affairs Minister for his visit, and the Government of India for its steadfast support of the people of the Maldives. The MDP welcomes the exchange of notes during this visit, to train a further 1000 civil service officers – a key human resource program initiated during President Solih’s government. MDP also welcomes the signing of the MoU between the Ministry of Economic Development and the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), on enhancing and expanding digital and integrated payment systems – another MoU that was discussed and finalised during President Solih’s administration.

MDP welcomes with gratitude to India, the inauguration and handover of six High Impact Community Development Projects, implemented with grant assistance from the Government of India, and signed and implemented during President Solih’s administration. The High Impact Community Development Project scheme is a highly successful and beneficial grant assistance scheme initialised in 2019.

The Party further welcomes the handover of water and sewerage projects in 28 islands financed through the EXIM Bank of India. These projects were undertaken through the $800 million Line of Credit extended by the Government of India, during the first State Visit of President Solih to India, in December 2018, and inaugurated during President Solih’s administration.

MDP also welcomes the visit of External Affairs Minister Dr Jaishankar to Addu City during this visit. The MDP notes with appreciation that during this visit, Minister Jaishankar will handover the reclamation and shore protection project and the inauguration of 4-Lane Detour Link Road comprising of 1.463 kms which connects Maradhoo to Hithadhoo around the Hankede Island. The construction of the road is a crucial aspect of the Hankede Integrated Tourism Project, and is vital to the successful economic development of the South. It is also a major component of the “Design and Build of Construction of Roads and Drainage System in Addu City Project”, and also marks the completion of the shore protection project. Both projects are funded through the EXIM Bank line of credit facility from Government of India, and were conceptualized, signed and initialised by the administration of President Solih.

During the past five years, India has assisted the Maldives in a variety of areas, including the funding of the largest infrastructure project in the country – the Greater Male’ Connectivity Project. Other large scale projects include the National College of Policing and Law Enforcement (NCPLE) in Addu City, the Ministry of Defence Building in Male’, the development of Maldives National Defence Force Harbour and dockyard in Uthuru Thila Falhu, the Addu Roads and Sewerage Development Project, the Development of Water and Sewerage projects in 36 Islands, the Koodoo and Felivaru Fisheries Expansion Project, Hanimaadhoo International Airport, IGMH Hospital. The Government of India has also extended grant assistance through the High Impact Community Development Projects scheme, for 47 projects in over 60 islands across the Maldives, amounting to over 250 million Rufiyaa. India also provided extensive support to the Maldives to tackle and overcome the COVID-19 pandemic, including through vaccines, medical consumables, financial assistance, and humanitarian assistance.