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India and Maldives share common challenges in the Indian Ocean Region which have multi-dimensional implications
Seeking to give a fresh impetus to the special relationship between the two nations, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu unveiled a Vision for Comprehensive Economic and Maritime Security Partnership after extensive bilateral talks in New Delhi on Monday (October 7, 2024).
A key outcome of the talks between the two leaders is the decision to advance maritime and security cooperation. As part of this, India will support the Maldives “provisioning of defence platforms and assets” to augment the capabilities of the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF). According to the joint vision statement, India will also support Maldives in enhancing surveillance and monitoring capability of MNDF with the provisioning of radar systems and other equipment.
An important announcement was the refit of Maldivian Coast Guard Ship Huravee by the Government of India on gratis basis.
The joint statement noted that India and Maldives share common challenges in the Indian Ocean Region which have multi-dimensional implications for the security and development of both the countries. Maldives, with its vast Exclusive Economic Zone, is exposed to traditional and non-traditional maritime challenges including piracy, IUU fishing, drug smuggling, and terrorism.
The two countries agreed that India, as a trusted and dependable partner, will work closely with Maldives in sharing of expertise, augmenting capabilities and undertake joint cooperative measures, as per needs and requirements of Maldives.
The two sides also agreed:
To strengthen cooperation in the area of disaster response and risk mitigation, including through development of SOPs and exercises to achieve enhanced interoperability;
To assist Maldives in the domain of Information Sharing by supporting the development of capabilities through infrastructure, training and sharing of best practices.
To inaugurate at an early date the state-of-the-art Maldivian Ministry of Defence (MoD) building in Malé, constructed with India's assistance, that will augment modern infrastructural capacity of the MoD;
To increase capacity building & training slots for MNDF, Maldives Police Services (MPS), and other security organisations of Maldives under the ITEC programmes and other customised training programmes in India.
To extend financial assistance to develop and upgrade MNDF infrastructure.
They also agreed that the ongoing MNDF 'Ekatha' harbour project at Uthuru Thila Falhu (UTF) with India's assistance will significantly contribute towards enhancing MNDF's operational capabilities, and agreed to extend full support for its timely completion.
Strengthening Cooperation in the Health Sector
India and Maldives have agreed to further deepen ongoing health cooperation through provisioning of safe, quality and affordable healthcare to the people of Maldives in India and promoting linkages between hospitals in India and facilities and improving access to essential health services in Maldives for strengthening health-care infrastructure in Maldives;
They will also work towards recognition of Indian pharmacopoeia by the Government of Maldives, followed by establishment of India-Maldives Jan Aushadhi Kendras across Maldives to contribute to health security efforts of Maldives through provisioning of affordable and quality generic medicines from India.
Another important decision was to work together in enhancing the capacity of the Maldives to undertake emergency medical evacuations.
Reviewing the ongoing capacity building initiatives that have positively contributed towards human resource developmental needs of Maldives, the two sides agreed to further expand support towards training and capacity building as per requirements and priorities of Maldives; They also agreed to launch a new programme to promote women-led development by imparting skills training and extending support to Maldivian women entrepreneurs for their enhanced participation in Maldivian economy.
Recognising the role of energy security in ensuring sustainable development, the two sides agreed to explore cooperation through implementation of solar power and other renewable energy and energy efficiency projects to bring down energy costs and enable Maldives to achieve its NDC Goals. Both sides will also undertake a feasibility study to identify measures that would enable Maldives to participate in the One Sun One World One Grid initiative.
A key outcome of the talks between the two leaders is the decision to advance maritime and security cooperation. As part of this, India will support the Maldives “provisioning of defence platforms and assets” to augment the capabilities of the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF). According to the joint vision statement, India will also support Maldives in enhancing surveillance and monitoring capability of MNDF with the provisioning of radar systems and other equipment.
An important announcement was the refit of Maldivian Coast Guard Ship Huravee by the Government of India on gratis basis.
The joint statement noted that India and Maldives share common challenges in the Indian Ocean Region which have multi-dimensional implications for the security and development of both the countries. Maldives, with its vast Exclusive Economic Zone, is exposed to traditional and non-traditional maritime challenges including piracy, IUU fishing, drug smuggling, and terrorism.
The two countries agreed that India, as a trusted and dependable partner, will work closely with Maldives in sharing of expertise, augmenting capabilities and undertake joint cooperative measures, as per needs and requirements of Maldives.
The two sides also agreed:
To strengthen cooperation in the area of disaster response and risk mitigation, including through development of SOPs and exercises to achieve enhanced interoperability;
To assist Maldives in the domain of Information Sharing by supporting the development of capabilities through infrastructure, training and sharing of best practices.
To inaugurate at an early date the state-of-the-art Maldivian Ministry of Defence (MoD) building in Malé, constructed with India's assistance, that will augment modern infrastructural capacity of the MoD;
To increase capacity building & training slots for MNDF, Maldives Police Services (MPS), and other security organisations of Maldives under the ITEC programmes and other customised training programmes in India.
To extend financial assistance to develop and upgrade MNDF infrastructure.
They also agreed that the ongoing MNDF 'Ekatha' harbour project at Uthuru Thila Falhu (UTF) with India's assistance will significantly contribute towards enhancing MNDF's operational capabilities, and agreed to extend full support for its timely completion.
Strengthening Cooperation in the Health Sector
India and Maldives have agreed to further deepen ongoing health cooperation through provisioning of safe, quality and affordable healthcare to the people of Maldives in India and promoting linkages between hospitals in India and facilities and improving access to essential health services in Maldives for strengthening health-care infrastructure in Maldives;
They will also work towards recognition of Indian pharmacopoeia by the Government of Maldives, followed by establishment of India-Maldives Jan Aushadhi Kendras across Maldives to contribute to health security efforts of Maldives through provisioning of affordable and quality generic medicines from India.
Another important decision was to work together in enhancing the capacity of the Maldives to undertake emergency medical evacuations.
Reviewing the ongoing capacity building initiatives that have positively contributed towards human resource developmental needs of Maldives, the two sides agreed to further expand support towards training and capacity building as per requirements and priorities of Maldives; They also agreed to launch a new programme to promote women-led development by imparting skills training and extending support to Maldivian women entrepreneurs for their enhanced participation in Maldivian economy.
Recognising the role of energy security in ensuring sustainable development, the two sides agreed to explore cooperation through implementation of solar power and other renewable energy and energy efficiency projects to bring down energy costs and enable Maldives to achieve its NDC Goals. Both sides will also undertake a feasibility study to identify measures that would enable Maldives to participate in the One Sun One World One Grid initiative.
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