Maldives President signs 6 pacts with India
To enhance bilateral ties with India, Maldives President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom is on a two-day official visit to its SAARC neighbour. During his visit, the President has signed six agreements with India, covering the fields of defence, space, tourism, taxation, exchange of information and conservation and restoration of ancient mosques.
The major agreements/MoUs signed during the visit are:
- Agreement for Avoidance of Double Taxation of Income derived from International Air Transport;
- Agreement for the Exchange of Information with respect to Taxes;
- Agreement related to Orbit Frequency Coordination of "South Asia Satellite” proposed at 48oE;
- MoU for Cooperation in the area of Conservation and Restoration of Ancient Mosques and Joint Research and Exploratory Surveys in Maldives;
- MoU on cooperation in the field of Tourism;
- Action Plan for Defence Cooperation.
In a joint press conference, while welcoming President Nasheed, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that today is an important day in the history of India-Maldives relations. “The growth, security and economic development of Maldives are equally important for us. The stability and security of the region is of strategic importance for India,” he said.
Modi said that he believes that the economic development of India is incomplete without the development of its neighbours. Therefore, ‘Neighbours First’ is a vital component of India’s policy.
He briefed, “We (both the leaders) have had a discussion on enhancing the cooperation in the field of trade, economic development and investment.”
“The third Maldives Investment Forum, which is going to be held in India, will strengthen the trade and investment relations between our countries,” Modi added.
President Nasheed expressed his gratitude for the warm welcome received in India. He said, “India is the most important friend of Maldives. The relations between the two countries are based on the cherished principles of mutual respect, civilisational roots, cultural and linguistic similarities and shared historical heritage.”
The President stated that India and Maldives share the common perspective on peace and stability in South Asia and Indian Ocean Region. That is why, Maldives pursues an ‘India Firsts’ foreign policy.
During his visit, President Nasheed, in discussion with PM Modi, exchanged views on further expanding the ongoing partnership to counter militant radicalism, cross border terrorism, organised crime and other forms of security threats, the two countries are facing.
In addition, both the leaders reviewed the progress on a number of areas of cooperation between Maldives and India. The key areas discussed are defence security, trade and economic cooperation, communication and connectivity, energy, health cooperation, human resource development, culture, tourism etc.
Maldives President’s visit came at a time when there are mounting pressures between the two countries over the arrest of Mohamed Nasheed, former president of Maldives and his subsequent sentencing last year.
At that time, India had voiced grave concerns on the arrest of Nasheed and had prodded the government of Maldives to resolve the differences as per the legal and constitutional framework.
