New Delhi

India will provide Maldives an additional $100 million line of credit to enable it complete all projects in a time-bound manner. 

In his welcome remarks to President Solih and his delegation, Prime Minister Modi assured the visiting Maldivian President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih that India will continue to be the first responder in any need or crisis of Maldives.

Mr Modi later tweeted, " Had an excellent meeting with President Solih. We got the opportunity to review the full range of relations between our nations. India cherishes the closr friendship with Maldives.We are working closely in areas such as skill development, energy, innovation and more.''

Addressing President Solih and his delegation, the Prime Minister said, “I had extensive discussions with President Solih on a number of topics. We reviewed all the dimensions of our bilateral cooperation, and also exchanged views on important regional and global issues. We welcomed the launch of the Greater Male connectivity project. It will be the largest infrastructure project in the Maldives.We also reviewed projects for the construction of 4000 social housing units in Greater Male today. I am happy to announce that we will additionally provide financial support for 2000 social housing units.''

Mr Modi who addressed President Solih as “ my friend’, said that in the last few years, there has been a renewed vigour in the friendly relations between India and Maldives, our closeness has increased. Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, our cooperation is taking the form of a comprehensive partnership.

“Today, the India-Maldives partnership is not only working in the interest of the citizens of both the countries but is also becoming a source of peace, stability and prosperity for the region,’’ the Prime Minister said.

Prime Minister Modi said that the threat of trans-national crime, terrorism and drug trafficking in the Indian Ocean is serious. “And therefore, close contact and coordination between India and Maldives in the field of defence and security is vital for the peace and stability of the entire region. We have increased our cooperation against all these common challenges. It also includes capacity building and training support for Maldivian security officials. I am happy to announce that India will provide 24 vehicles and one naval boat for the Maldives Security Force. We will also cooperate in building police facilities in 61 islands of Maldives,’’ he said

While congratulating President Solih for the Maldivian government’s target to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2030, the Prime Minister assured him that India will extend all possible support for this.  India has taken up its initiative of One World, One Sun, One Grid internationally, and under this we can take effective steps with Maldives.