A very good evening,
It is an honour to welcome my dear friend, the External Minister Dr. Jaishankar to the Maldives, on his third visit to the country, and his first visit to Addu City as the External Affairs Minister. Thank you for accepting our invitation.
I note that this is a historic moment for us, as this is the first time official talks have been held outside the Capital City Male’, and you have made history Minister
The Maldives – India relationship remains strong. Fortifying and building on our long-standing ties, it is one of the top foreign policy priorities of President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih’s administration. To that end, the Maldives welcomes India’s “Neighborhood First Policy” under which we have gained immense socio-economic benefits. And we remain committed to our “India First Policy” in our Foreign Policy. Our relationship is one that has stood the test of time, and one that will continue to flourish.
I take this opportunity to thank India for the assistance it has provided to us throughout the Covid-19 pandemic. We remain grateful that we can always rely on India during times of need. Both our countries have experienced the hardships and tragedies of the pandemic, but we are emerging stronger together.
The special arrangement made during the height of the pandemic to keep air corridors open between the two countries helped in reviving our economy bolstering tourist arrivals from India. The special arrangements of medical visa into India, during the border closure at the peak of the pandemic yet proved the strong bonds between the two countries .
We have had continuous high-level exchanges such as this visit today, which has contributed towards reaching our partnership goals. The fruits of these exchanges is seen through the many projects that is being implemented across the country.
The historical inauguration of the National College of Policing and Law Enforcement (NCPLE) tomorrow is one such goal. This is a high priority project executed under Indian grant assistance, and I am confident that it will enhance the capacity and readiness of the Maldives Police Service. As will the signing of the MoU between Maldives Police Service and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy, Hyderabad, for Capacity Building and Areas of Cooperation. Through such initiatives, we will strengthen the linkages between, and across, our police organizations and broaden the scope of our cooperation in areas of common interest.
Let me also take this opportunity to highlight a key infrastructure project which is to be funded through bias credit loan of Indian Exim Bank for the establishment of 61 police stations across the Maldives. This project would undoubtedly facilitate the provision of a modern and professional police service that the country’s citizens have been much awaiting in alignment with the government’s decentralization policy.
Excellencies,
Local communities stand to greatly benefit from the projects being implemented across the country under Indian grant assistance. We look forward to soon inaugurating two of the twenty projects which are to proceed under the High Impact Community Development Projects scheme: • the Tourism Zone Development Project – ‘Mulimathi’ in Meedhoo and • “Vilunu”, the drug treatment and rehabilitation services centre in Hulhumeedhoo.
We will also witness the groundbreaking for the construction of roads and storm water drainage systems in Addu City, and the signing of the contract for the Addu reclamation project, both of which are funded under the Lines of Credit facilitated by the Government of India.
This evening, we have also signed the Peering Agreement for connectivity between the Higher Education Network of Maldives and the National Knowledge Network of India, and officially launched the network. This network will benefit both students and professionals in the higher education institutes in the Maldives. It is also a significant stride in the field of educational cooperation between our two countries.
Similarly, we have also signed an MoU for reciprocal recognition of Covid vaccination certificates. This will facilitate easier travel between India and the Maldives.
I note that the donation of vaccines last year by India was a pivotal moment on our path to recovery. With that donation, we were able to initiate a national vaccination programme targeting the entire population. That programme has been a resounding success and I am pleased that this month we were able to lift our State of Public Health Emergency.
Excellency,
Many of the projects that India is assisting us in are progressing, despite the challenges of the pandemic. The physical work is already underway for The Greater Malé Connectivity Project, linking Male’ to Thilafushi, which is one of the Government’s flagship initiatives.
The project on the establishment of water and sanitation facilities in 34 islands is in the implementation stage now. With regard to Airport projects – the bid evaluation process on Hanimaadhoo Airport is ongoing, and the Detail Project Report on Gan International Airport has been approved. The Cricket Stadium project is in the tendering stage. Stakeholders are coordinating to expedite the Gulhifalhu port project and MIFCO development project. Another important project, the Cancer Hospital in Laamu Atoll, is now at its initial stages.
Looking ahead, Minister, to further project cooperation, we emphasize the significance of expediting defence and, sports infrastructure development projects. These are to proceed under the $50 million Line of Credit for defence projects and $40 million Line of Credit for sports infrastructure.
I reaffirm Maldives’ continued commitment to foster dialogue and cooperation in the defence sector. Just last month, we held the 3rd India – Maldives defence cooperation dialogue, where both sides discussed joint efforts and capacity building measures to counter trans-national crimes and enhance security in the region.
Excellency,
I thank the Government and the people of India, for standing in solidarity with us, and for being our friend and partner throughout these years. The leadership of President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and Prime Minister Narendra Modi has steered the Maldives-India partnership into a new era – one that has been characterized by prosperity, development and mutual benefit for our countries. And I thank you Minister, for your personal commitment in fostering our close ties over the three years, and for helping us achieve these remarkable milestones.
Meeting here in Addu, Minister, I share with you the importance for the Maldives of the Fisheries Industry and we discussed about the tax that is levied on Maldivian Fish products in India and I am confident that on your return you will be able to give positive consideration to this matter. We also discussed on further cooperation in tourism industry and we agreed that we will be able to work more closely in promoting tourism between our two countries.
ހަމާރޭ ދޯނޯ ދޭށޯކީ ބީޗް ނަޒްދީކީ ސަންބަންދް ގެހެރޭ އޯރް މަޒްބޫތް ހޯތޭ ރަހޭ.
Humaare dhono dhesho ki beech nazdeeki sambandh gehre aur mazbooth hothe rahe [May the close bonds between our two countries continue to grow deeper and stronger.] Thank you