APD | India and Maldives sign three agreements

By APD writer Rishika Chauhan 

NEW DELHI, Mar.19 (APD) -- The Maldives and India on Monday signed three agreements and vowed to enhance cooperation in various fields including community development and renewable energy.

The agreements were signed on the occasion of the visit of India’s External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj to Male, who spent two days in Maldives.

Abdulla Shahid, the External Affairs Minister of Maldives said that his country had a “India first” policy and had decided to “remain sensitive towards India’s security and strategic concerns.”

The representatives of the two states also signed an agreement to exempt visas to Indians who hold diplomatic and official passports. 

Other areas of cooperation in the ambit of the agreements include energy efficiency collaboration and Indian aid for community development.

Maldives will also utilize Indian aid to build a cricket stadium. While the Maldivian external affairs minister acknowledged India’s financial assistance, Swaraj announced that India had decided to “renew the quota for essential commodities”, as per the wishes of the Maldivian government.

The two ministers also emphasized the need for enhancing peace and security in the Indian Ocean region and coordinating to ensure maritime security.

India’s relations with Maldives have improved since last year when President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih came to power.

(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)