PM Narendra Modi was the chief guest on the occasion of Maldives' 60th Independence Day celebrations || Maldives || PM Narendra Modi ||
PM Narendra Modi was the chief guest on the occasion of Maldives' 60th Independence Day celebrations || Maldives || PM Narendra Modi ||
It is reported that PM Narendra Modi attended Maldives' National Day as the chief guest. Maldives' 60th Independence Day celebrations are being organized at the Republic Square in Male. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is attending this function as a 'special guest'. Maldives President Mohammad Muizzu is also present.
Many important agreements were signed between India and Maldives on Friday. Under which India will give a loan of Rs 4,850 crore to Maldives and a free trade agreement will also be finalized soon. An agreement has been reached between the two countries for this.
Many big announcements were made for the neighboring country on Friday in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. During this, PM Modi emphasized that New Delhi is proud to be the 'most trusted' friend of the Indian Ocean archipelago Maldives.
India has also decided to reduce Maldives' annual debt payment obligations by 40 percent. It has been reduced from US $ 51 million to US $ 29 million. This will help Maldives to deal with its economic problems.
Maldives Tourism and Environment Minister Thoriq Ibrahim said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Maldives has come at the right time. He has come here today as a special guest on Maldives' Independence Day. This underlines the deep and valuable partnership between India and Maldives.
He further said that I believe that his visit highlights the importance of the Indian tourism market for Maldives, which currently accounts for six percent of the tourists arriving by July 2025 and reflects a 5 percent arrival growth this year. Prime Minister Modi's visit is very special for us.
Maldives Tourism and Environment Minister Thoriq Ibrahim said that we hope that tourist arrivals from India will increase with the opening of Velana International Airport and especially Prime Minister Modi's visit. This year our target is to bring about 23 lakh tourists to the country.
Maldives Tourism and Environment Minister Thoriq Ibrahim said that both India-Maldives share environmental issues. Looking at the agreements signed yesterday between Maldives and India, one of the key areas we will focus on is the development of the same island where our airport is, Hanimaadhoo.
The Solar Alliance is also an initiative of Prime Minister Modi. Maldives is the first signatory to the Solar Alliance. So we hope to work closely with the Solar Alliance and other Indian institutions to increase our capacity on renewable energy and sustainability.
On Maldives' support to India for COP 33, he said that it is very important for us. We would like to bring COP closer to our region. It will also be a great achievement for the region. So, we hope that COP-33 will be a great success when India comes.
Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu has described the Indian Ocean as a living proof of the long-term relations between Maldives and India and said that there is an unbreakable bond between the two countries, which goes far beyond diplomacy. During a state banquet hosted in honour of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday night, Muizzu expressed gratitude to the Government of India for its constant support and unwavering friendship.
Speaking on 60 years of diplomatic relations between Maldives and India, Muizzu said that diplomatic relations between the two countries have a shared history and there are deep centuries-old ties between the two countries. President Muizzu acknowledged that India's partnership will play an important role in the development of Maldives.
News Sources: Amar Ujala Hindi News, ANI News Agency, PTI And Others
