President Mohamed Nasheed has met with Prime Minister of India Manmohan Singh today.
During the meeting with Prime Minister Singh, President Nasheed thanked the Indian government for its long standing relationship and continued assistance to the Maldives.
He especially noted the US$40 million credit line from India to assist the Maldivian government’s housing project, which is expected to be finalized during the President’s current visit to India.
The President also thanked the Indian government for the donation of pharmaceuticals and sporting equipments as well as technical assistance worth over US$5.7 million for capacity building to promote technology adaptation in the Maldives education sector.
The agreement on these grant aid from India was signed on 23 January 2011 in Male’.
Discussions at the meeting between President Nasheed and Prime Minister Singh centered on bilateral relations between both countries, continuing development assistance from India, climate change and global economic and political climate, especially the rise of pro-democracy movements in Middle East.
On the issue of climate change, the President highlighted the instrumental role played India during the climate talks last year in Cancun, Mexico. Prime Minister Singh also expressed India’s willingness to work with the Maldives to reach a concrete agreement in upcoming Conference of Parties.
At the meeting President Nasheed underlined the importance of connecting the Maldives, India and Sri Lanka via a ferry system. He revealed that the Maldivian government was working with SAARC Secretariat to present a proposal to the SAARC Summit to be held in the Maldives later this year.
Discussing global economy, President Nasheed and Prime Minister Singh expressed concern over the increasing global oil prices. Prime Minister Singh said the increasing oil prices would have an adverse impact on the economies of import dependent countries such as the Maldives.
