Three agreements signed between the Maldives and India

Three agreements have been signed between the government of Maldives and the government of India today. The three agreements signed were, MoU on the cooperation in the field of health; the exchange of letters on extending the MoU on manpower requirements of IGMH, and the MoA for allotment of plot to the High Commission of Maldives in Delhi.

The three agreements were signed on the Indian side by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Shri Salman Hursheed; while from the Maldivian side, Minister of Foreign Affairs Hon. Dunya Maumoon, Minister of Health and Gender, Hon. Dr. Maryam Shakeela, and Maldivian High Commissioner to India Mohamed Naseer signed the agreements respectively.

The ceremony was attended by President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom and Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh.

At a press briefing held afterwards, President Yameen expressed his confidence for the future prosperity of the Indo-Maldives relationship. Highlighting some difficulties being faced by the Maldivian people today, the President especially noted the current impoverished state of the Maldivian economy. The President concluded his statement by extending an invitation to the Indian Prime Minister to make an official visit to the Maldives.

Speaking at the press briefing, Prime Minister Dr. Singh highlighted the key agreements and decisions reached at the official talks held today. He said that the two governments had agreed on a number of initiatives to strengthen bilateral defense and security cooperation; including through training, supply of equipment, capacity building, joint patrolling, and aerial and maritime surveillance. Prime Minister Dr. Singh also said that India has agreed to the facilitation of trade credit to the Maldives to the amount of 25 million dollars, and the relaxation of restriction on stone aggregates. He also underlined the favorable disposition of India for the Maldives’ request to import petroleum from India, and the supply of other essential commodities. He assured that India will continue to further strengthen the development partnership between the two countries, including in areas such as education and health.