Maldives key partner for India in Indian Ocean region: External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar

India and Maldives strengthen partnership through development projects, enhancing connectivity and economic growth in the region.

The Maldives is a key partner for India in the Indian Ocean region and the two nations aspire to turn their cooperation into a modern partnership, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said on Sunday (August 11, 2024).

Mr. Jaishankar's remarks came as he along with his Maldivian counterpart Moosa Zameer attended the handing over ceremony of Addu Reclamation and Shore Protection Project and inauguration of the 4-lane Detour Link road project facilitated by the Government of India under the Line of Credit (LOC) of EXIM Bank.

"The Maldives for us is a key partner in the Indian Ocean region. It is very much at the heart of our Neighbourhood First policy. And it is therefore very natural that the cooperation between our two countries has moved beyond the traditional role. And today really aspires to be a modern partnership," Mr. Jaishankar said.

"Our development cooperation is aimed at touching all facets of people's lives and finding ways of bringing tangible benefits to their lives," he said.

“In the last few years, India has invested around $220 million which provides a fair idea of the importance that India attaches to regional development in the Maldives,” he added.

"We are today among the largest trading partners among others. We're also witnessing greater investment flows from India to the Maldives, particularly in the tourism sector," he further said.

“India has partnered with the government of Maldives on the Addu Reclamation and Shore Protection project to find a sustainable way to develop it as a regional hub,” the External Affairs Minister said.