Minister of External Affairs of India departs from Maldives
27 March 2022: Addu City ‘Maldives
The Minister of External Affairs of India Dr. S. Jaishankar departed today from Addu City after concluding his two-day Official Visit to the Maldives.
The External Affairs Minister arrived in the Maldives on 26 March 2022 for the inauguration ceremony of the National College for Policing and Law Enforcement established in Addu City under the Indian Grant Assistance. The National College for Policing and Law Enforcement was jointly inaugurated by President of Maldives Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and Minister Dr. Jaishankar. Consequently, an MoU between Maldives Police Service and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy, Hyderabad, for Capacity Building and Areas of Cooperation, was also signed at this ceremony.
During the visit, the Minister of External Affairs called on the President of Maldives Mr. Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and met with his counterpart Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid, where both Ministers reviewed the development cooperation projects and discussed strengthening of cooperation in various avenues. Both Ministers also discussed on the projects currently in various stages of implementation, under the grants and five Lines of Credit extended to the Government of Maldives, from the Government of India, through the Export Import Bank of India. Projects undertaken with the Indian grant assistance under the High Impact Community Development Projects scheme; “Vilunu” drug rehabilitation facility, and “Mulimathi” tourism zone both in Addu City was inaugurated during his visit.
The External Affairs Minister also attended the ceremony held for ground breaking of the Addu Development Project and contract awarding of Addu reclamation project, which are been financed under Indian Line of Credit.
The External Affairs Minister along with Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid witnessed the signing of several key agreements including the Memorandum of understanding for reciprocal recognition of Covid vaccination certificate which will facilitate easier travel between India and Maldives. The Ministers also witnessed the signing of the Peering Agreement for connectivity between the Higher Education Network of Maldives and the National Knowledge Network of India and jointly launched the network. The official handover ceremony of the extended coastal radar system was also held during the visit.
The two sides also agreed to further intensify the cooperation and enhance Maldives-India partnership. This visit marked a significant milestone in strengthening the bilateral relations of two the countries.
Minister of External Affairs was seen off at Gan International Airport by Foreign Minister Shahid, Mayor of Addu City and senior officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.