Moosa Zameer’s visit to India came amid tense political ties between India and the Maldives (File)
Male, Maldives:
Maldives Foreign Minister Moosa Zameer said that significant progress has been made in accelerating Indian-assisted projects in the Maldives, while underlining the government’s commitment to prioritizing the resumption and completion of these projects.
Zameer, who visited India from May 8 to 10 on his first official bilateral visit, said he and his Indian counterpart S Jaishankar participated in bilateral discussions on May 9 to address crucial issues aimed at accelerating projects initiated under the assistance India’s financial sector.
He said discussions with S Jaishankar focused on the operational dynamics of the committees tasked with executing these projects, psmnews.mv reported.
Speaking at a press conference held at the President’s Office, Zameer said India has given the Maldives the green signal to extend the deadline for repayment of $150 million of a $200 million debt. The loan was guaranteed by the previous government upon taking office in 2019.
Zameer said $50 million of the $200 million owed to India was repaid in January. He emphasized that the Indian government has not made any demands in exchange for extending the deadline for repayment of the remaining 150 million dollars.
The minister said a number of initiatives in the Maldives were started through loans and grants from India during the previous administration.
He said significant progress has been made in accelerating India-assisted projects.
He emphasized the current government’s commitment to prioritizing the resumption and completion of these projects. He also highlighted his dedication to this endeavor during his recent visit to India.
During official discussions between the two nations, S Jaishankar reiterated the importance of India’s ongoing projects in the Maldives.
Zameer’s visit to India came amid a crisis in bilateral ties between the two countries since pro-China President Mohamed Muizzu took office six months ago.
Relations between the two countries came under severe strain due to Muizzu’s insistence on the withdrawal of Indian military personnel operating three military platforms in the island nation.
Zameer said on Saturday that 76 Indian military personnel have been replaced by civilian employees of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, which manufactured the two helicopters donated by India, thus also ending the suspense over the exact number of repatriates at Male’s insistence.
However, the Maldivian government has no intention of withdrawing doctors from India in Senahiya.
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