PM Modi lands at Velena international airport-accorded ceremonial welcome
PM Modi was accorded a ceremonial welcome
on his arrival at the Velena international airport Maladives on Friday by President Mohamed Muizzu and other top ministers of his government.
He held talks with Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu and declared that India will provide $565 million ( ₹4,850 crore) line of credit to the island nation. He also said that talks of a free trade agreement between India and the Maldives have started.
Adding that India will always support the Maldives to strengthen its defence capabilities and also saying amidst the meeting, marking a turnaround in India’s bilateral ties with the island nation after a spell of unease.
In the midst of the Budget in February 2025, India’s aid to the Maldives was increased by ₹120 crore compared to last year’s allocation. The government promised a grant of ₹600 crore to the Maldives—an increase of 27 per cent from ₹400 crore allotted last year.
Hours later, Modi was accorded a colourful ceremonial welcome and a guard of honour at the iconic Republic Square.
Taking to his X post he wrote “deeply touched by the gesture of President Muizzu to come to the airport to welcome him. He is confident that India-Maldives friendship will scale new heights of progress in the times to come. It’s always friendship first’
Amidst the meeting,
PM Modi and President Muizzu also released postage stamps containing traditional boats of both India and Maldives — a gesture, which PM Modi said — showed that “we (the nations) are not just neighbours, but also friends.”
Muizzu, while speaking on the occasion, said that he and PM Modi also discussed how to enhance cooperation and connectivity between India and Maldives, including the commencement of direct flights.
President Muizzu also expressed “sincere appreciation” to India for the “provision of 72 vehicles to the Maldives National Defence Force.”
Here’s what he said:
He thanks the Government of India for its role as the Maldives principal partner in the health sector.”
News Edit KV Raman
