Indian External Affairs Minister Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar has expressed a strong commitment to expanding and deepening the relationship between India and the Maldives across various sectors. His remarks came during a ceremony where documents were formally handed over for the installation of water and sewerage systems on 28 islands in the Maldives, a project funded under the line of credit facility from the Exim Bank of India.
During his speech, Dr. Jaishankar highlighted that the partnership between the two nations has grown significantly, bringing tangible benefits to the people of both countries. He noted that the collaboration has already seen advancements in key areas such as health, education, construction, and defense. However, the minister emphasized that the goal is to further strengthen ties beyond these sectors.
“We are assisting the Maldives in areas that are most critical to its people,” Dr. Jaishankar stated. “The Indian government is providing loans, budgetary support, and infrastructure aid. The positive impact of this assistance is becoming increasingly visible in the Maldives.”
Dr. Jaishankar also underscored the importance of environmentally friendly and climate-resilient projects, recognizing the Maldives as particularly vulnerable to climate change. He pointed out that the 28-island water and sewerage project, which was handed over during the ceremony, is the largest environmentally friendly initiative ever undertaken in the Maldives with foreign support. A significant portion of the electricity required for the water systems will be generated from renewable energy sources, he added.
Dr. Jaishankar’s visit to the Maldives, which began on August 9 and will continue until August 11, marks his first official trip to the country since President Mohamed Muizzu’s administration took office in November 2023.
