Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu described India on Saturday as its "closest ally" as well as an "invaluable partner" of this nation, reiterating his government's firmness in strengthening the "historic and close relations" with India.
At a function at the President's Office, after inaugurating the completed water supply and sewerage facilities on 28 Maldivian islands executed with India's Line of Credit by the Exim Bank of India, which was attended by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, he said his country acknowledges continuous support from India.
Muizzu said these projects were important milestones in the bilateral relationship between the Maldives and India, and would "acts as an impetus to the local economies and propels national prosperity."
He also "expressed deep gratitude" to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Indian government, and the people of India for their "generous and continued assistance" to the Maldives.
The President noted that the High Impact Community Development Projects funded under the Indian Grant Assistance reflect very much the strong engagement of both nations in holistic socio-economic development. He discussed the ongoing revolutionary initiatives and the plan to fast-track them into realization but at the same time appreciated the flexibility in restructuring the credit arrangement, a statement from the President's office said.
Muizzu concluded by reiterating that the centuries-old relations between the Maldives and India are based on friendship, mutual respect, and a strong sense of kinship. He said Maldivians cherished the long-standing historic relations with India and remain unyielded to further enhance it.
Speaking at the meeting with the EAM Jaishankar, President Muizzu recalled his recent visit to India for the swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister Modi and expressed appreciation for the invitation as well, which the visit had created for meeting with Modi and President Droupadi Murmu.
EAM Jaishankar, who tweeted post meeting, confirmed India's commitment toward strengthening ties with the Maldives for mutual benefits and regional stability. He also said regional peace is important, and security cooperation with the Maldivian Defence Minister will be enhanced, covering the maritime domain.
Jaishankar along with Maldivian Foreign Minister Moosa Zameer and Thoriq Ibrahim, the Climate Change, Environment and Energy Minister, participated in a symbolic tree-planting ceremony at Lonuziyaaraiy Park in Male.
The ceremony held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was also to mark the inauguration and transfer of six community-based High Impact Community Development Projects financed by India. The integrated payment system was also signed between the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade of the Maldives and the National Payments Corporation of India, along with the re-signing of an MoU on the training of 1,000 Maldivian Civil Service Officers.
Maldivian Foreign Minister Moosa Zameer extended warm regard for India's assistance in the spirit of developing communities of Maldives and reiterated the commitment to make the bilateral, regional, and multilateral relations with India stronger in the future.
The EAM underlined that this was a strategic visit and the first in his term to this Indian Ocean archipelago from January 2023. He said the Maldives was at the heart of India's 'Neighborhood First' policy and Vision SAGAR, which reinforced that the Maldives was also at the heart of India's regional strategy.
Jaishankar also emphasized the common issues facing the two powerful nations and the importance such defense and security cooperation held in mutual interests toward regional peace and security.
