By India’s External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar, has lauded the Maldives as the clearest example of India’s “Neighborhood First” policy, underscoring the importance of strong ties with neighboring countries.
During formal discussions with Maldivian Foreign Minister Dr. Abdullah Khaleel, Jaishankar reiterated India’s commitment to supporting the Maldives through financial assistance and developmental collaboration. Highlighting initiatives secured during President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s visit to India in October, he detailed key measures including:
- A $400 million currency swap facility.
- The postponement of Treasury bill repayments to the State Bank of India (SBI).
“We hope this assistance has provided some relief to the Maldives’ current difficulties,” said Jaishankar. “India will always stand with the Maldives. The Maldives is the clearest example of India’s Neighborhood First policy.”
In a notable step forward, the ministers signed the third phase of the “High Impact Community Development Projects” agreement. This initiative aims to support grassroots development projects across various Maldivian atolls, with the first two phases already yielding substantial results.
The talks also addressed critical areas such as:
- Progress on ongoing Indian-funded projects.
- Strengthening bilateral economic ties.
- India’s continued role in the Maldives’ development agenda.
- Projects under Indian grants and line of credit.
While initial tensions marked the transition of the current Maldivian government, both nations have demonstrated the resilience of their partnership, achieving notable progress in rekindling mutual trust and cooperation.
The discussions reaffirmed the enduring bond between the two nations, with Jaishankar emphasizing India’s steadfast commitment to the Maldives’ development and prosperity.