Cash-strapped Maldives leader in India to repair frail ties

AFP | New Delhi                                          

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Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu was given a red carpet welcome on his first state visit to India yesterday, a trip Prime Minister Narendra Modi said marked a “new chapter” to reset troubled ties.

Muizzu came to power a year ago on a promise to evict dozens of Indian troops deployed in his small but strategically located archipelago.

India yesterday rolled out a financial support to bolster Male’s struggling economy, with Muizzu and Modi discussing “energy, trade, financial linkages and defence cooperation”, India’s foreign ministry said.

“Your visit is a new chapter in our ties,” Modi told Muizzu, who was given an honour guard including cavalry and a marching band.

“India will always be there for the progress and prosperity of the people of Maldives.”

Muizzu, 46, in a speech alongside Modi that included the virtual inauguration of an Indian-supported airport runway and social housing, said he had held “extensive discussions... charting a path for the future collaboration between our two countries”.

He also thanked India for budgetary support “instrumental in addressing foreign exchange issues”, including a 30 billion rupee ($357 million) and $400 million currency swap agreement.

India will also develop the commercial port at Thilafushi to ease the congested port at the island capital Male, and the two nations will begin talks on a potential free trade agreement.