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OPINION NOVEMBER 15, 2024 | The Indian Eye 9

extended budgetary support to Mal- of airports such as Hanimaadhoo and
dives by rolling over to the tune of $ Gan, expansion of High Impact Com-
100 million upon the request of the munity Development Projects (HIC-
Government of Maldives. To boost DP), sharing of expertise in digital
the economy, the government in and financial services and the imple-
Male also identified a few measures, mentation of renewable energy proj-
such as minimizing the economy’s de- ects including solar power. By agree-
pendence on tourism sector, strength- ing to establish a Maldives consulate
ening agriculture, and the creation of in Bangalore and a consulate of India
a solar city to take care of the energy in Addu City in Maldives, a push has
needs of the Greater Male’ region, been given for people to people ex-
etc. Implementation of the FTA with changes, which were affected after
China and possible FTA with Turkey, the formation of new government in
the UK and India are other possibil- Male at the end of 2023.
ities the government is exploring to Maldives tourism sector has been
diversify its trade relations. particularly hit due to decline of In-
Therefore, the timely help ex- dian tourists visiting Maldives. India
tended by India has been much ap- ranks 6th in tourist arrivals position,
preciated by the Government of Mal- in contrast to the rank in 2023, where
dives. In July, the President sincerely it stood as a top tourist arrival market
thanked India, during the Maldives for Maldives.
Independence Day ceremony, for the Conclusion
support in easing the country’s ‘debt In this context, the recent en-
repayment, thereby enabling the gagement between India and Mal-
country to ensure economic sover- dives and its significance lies in pri-
eignty’. Other than the economic co- oritizing regional security along with
operation, peace and security in the national priorities of respective coun-
Indian Ocean and the need to arrive tries and in finding a convergence to
at a common understanding in solv- work towards enhancing cooperation
ing emerging threats and challenges in various areas at the bilateral and
in the region have also acted as a pull regional level. As the developments
factor in normalizing the bilateral re- show, India’s consistent support to
lations. For example, to address com- the island nation in terms of develop-
mon security challenges in the Indian To boost the economy, the government in Male also identified a few measures, such as mini- ment cooperation, investments and
Ocean Region, in August 2024, India, mizing the economy’s dependence on tourism sector (Agency file photo) capacity building that took care of
Maldives, Mauritius and Sri Lanka the needs of island nation has acted
signed the Charter and a MoU for as a positive force in rebuilding the
the establishment of the Colombo about collaboration in ten areas of (MNDF), on Hydrographic matters, much-needed trust and mutual re-
Security Conclave (CSC) Secretariat mutual interest which include polit- in the areas of disaster response and spect. It also showed India’s resolve
in Colombo. India and the Maldives ical exchanges, development, trade risk mitigation and in increased ca- to work towards normalization of
along with other members of CSC and economic cooperation, digital pacity building of the MNDF. relations through various bilateral
seem determined in realizing five pil- and financial cooperation. The doc- Both countries have agreed to set mechanisms in place.
lars of cooperation under the CSC ument further mentions the ongoing up a High-Level Core Group to im-
framework, which include “the mar- projects and possibilities for energy, plement the vision document, and the Dr. Samatha Mallempati is
itime safety and security, countering health, defense and security coop- future implementation will only rein- a Research Fellow at the Indian Council of
terrorism and radicalization, com- eration, capacity building and train- force the strong bond both the coun- World Affairs, New Delhi. Views expressed
bating trafficking and transnational ing, people to people exchanges and tries historically share. The document are personal
organized crime, cyber security and avenues for cooperation at regional touched upon important projects This article first appeared in the Viewpoint
protection of critical infrastructure and multilateral fora. The partner- such as housing development, com- section of the website (www.icwa.in) of In-
and technology and humanitarian as- ship agreement has been described as pletion of the Greater Male Connec- dian Council of World Affairs, New Delhi,
sistance and disaster relief”. ‘people-centric, future oriented and tivity Project (GMCP), development on November 2, 2024
Steps towards Comprehensive as an anchor of stability in the Indian
Partnership Ocean region’. India also extended
support of $400 million and INR 30
he above-mentioned crucial billion bilateral currency swap agree-
developments at the bilateral ment to tackle the financial challeng-
Tlevel culminated in signing of es faced by Maldives.
a “Vision Document for Comprehen- Rupay card was also launched on
sive Economic and Maritime Security the occasion of the visit. At the bilater-
Partnership”. The document signed al level, defense and maritime securi-
during the State visit of President of ty cooperation has acquired renewed
Maldives to India in October 6-10, dimension in the vision document.
2024, can be seen as an important Therefore, India as a trusted partner
chapter in relations that is going to of the island nation, will extend sup-
bring India and Maldives much clos- port to Maldives with provisioning
er in the future. The vision document, of defense platforms, in enhancing
which will act as a roadmap for the surveillance and monitoring capacity
future, in detail provides information of Maldives National Defence Force

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