President Mohamed Nasheed expresses hope to start a regular passenger cargo ferry service between the Maldives and Minicoy Islands, in the near future.
Following the signing of 5 agreements of cooperation between India and Maldives, the President said that connectivity through air and ferry transport networks would be improved by conduction of this ferry service.
At the ceremony held at the President’s Office this morning the President further noted that connectivity between the Minicoy Islands and the Northern region of the Maldives, as well as other regions, would be improved as the ferry service would cater to other destinations as well. The President stated that a passenger cargo ferry service would be established between the Maldives and Kochi, and other regions of India.
A total of 5 agreements were signed, which were inclusive of a Framework Agreement on Cooperation for Development between the Government of the Republic of Maldives and the Government of the Republic of India, signed by President Nasheed and Prime Minister Singh.
The other agreements signed between the two countries include the Agreement on Transfer of Sentenced Persons; the Memorandum of Understanding on Combating International Terrorism, Illicit Drug Trafficking and Enhancing Bilateral Cooperation in Capacity Building, Disaster Management and Coastal Security; the Memorandum of Understanding on Standby Credit Facility; and the Memorandum of Understanding regarding the Renovation of Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital. The agreements were signed by the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Mohamed Naseer and Foreign Secretary Ranjan Mathai of India.
After the signing ceremony, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in his press statement said that the two leaders discussed on a number of issues, including the future cooperation in the bilateral partnership. He also noted that the cooperation was already on a high growth trajectory.
On his part, President Nasheed thanked the Prime Minister for the framework agreement of cooperation on a number of areas that will be beneficial to both the countries and go a long way in Indian assistance to Maldives' development and progress.
