India-Maldives Bilateral Relations

India and Maldives share ethnic, linguistic, cultural, religious and commercial links steeped

in antiquity. India was among the first to recognize Maldives after its independence in 1965 and to

establish diplomatic relations with the country.

2. Maldives’ proximity to the west coast of India (barely 70 nautical miles away from Minicoy

and 300 nautical miles away from India’s West coast), and its situation at the hub of commercial

sea-lanes running through Indian Ocean (particularly the 8° N & 1 ½° N channels) imbues it with

significant strategic importance to India.

part of India.

5. India’s prompt assistance during the 1988 coup attempt, led to development of trust and

long-term and friendly bilateral relations with the Maldives. The immediate withdrawal of our

troops when they were no longer required assuaged fears of any Indian dominance or territorial

aspirations.

6. India was also the first to assist Maldives during the 2004 Tsunami as well as the water

crisis in Malé in Dec 2014. These three incidents have reinforced India’s credentials of being the

“first responder”.

High level exchanges in past few years

7. Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the inauguration ceremony of H.E. President

India in Dec 2018, during which India announced a financial assistance package of USD 1.4 bn

which included USD 50 mn as budgetary support to GoM, subscription by SBI to the GoM’s T-bills

of USD 150 mn, Currency Swap Agreement for USD 400 mn and 8 infra Projects under the USD 800

mn Line of Credit (LoC). India also offered additional 1000 training slots over the next 5 years.

10. Defence Minister Mariya Didi visited India in Jan 2019, during which the 2

nd

Defence

Cooperation Dialogue was held. She visited India on several occasions including for DEFEXPO in

Feb 2020, IOR DM’s conclave in Bangalore in Feb 2021 & INA Kochi as Chief Guest at Passing-out-

Parade in Nov 2021 and Defence Expo in Oct 2022.

11. Former EAM Late Smt. Sushma Swaraj visited Maldives in March 2019. Several agreements

including LoC Agreement for USD 800 mn & MoU for grant assistance for High Impact Community

Development Projects (HICDPs) was also signed during the visit. India also gifted 2500 LED street

lights and 2,00,000 LED bulbs to Malé City Council. EAM also announced the grant of INR 500

million to Maldives for 18 bilateral projects related to the socio-economic development.

12. PM Modi visited Maldives on a State Visit in June 2019. PM also addressed a session of the

newly constituted People’s Majlis. Various MoUs were also signed in the field of Hydrography,

Health, establishment of Passenger-cum-Cargo service by sea, cooperation in Customs’ capacity

building, Civil Servants trainings and exchange of White Shipping Information between IN &

where he met Chiefs of Army, Airforce & Navy besides graced and reviewed, as Chief Guest, POP at

14. EAM visited Maldives in Sept 2019 to participate in 4

Indian Ocean Conference. During the

visit, an Agreement on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters was signed.

review of the bilateral agenda and charted a way forward. The two Ministers also witnessed the

exchange of Instrument of Ratification of Treaty on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters

and signing of the MoUs between the Financial Intelligence Units (FIUs) of Maldives and India, and

between Elections Commission of Maldives and Election Commission of India.

16. At a Video Conference held between PM and H.E. President Solih on Dec 4, 2019, 4 projects

were highlighted viz. gifting of street lights to Male; operationalising of RuPay Card in the Maldives;

signing of MoUs for Indian grant assistance to set up 3 fish processing plants in Addu under

HICDPs scheme & gifting of CGS Kaamyaab to the MNDF.

17. PM Modi and H.E. President Solih had telephonic conversations in April 2020 and July 2021

to discuss the COVID19 pandemic situation and India’s developmental assistance to the Maldives.

an MoU on Sports & Youth Affairs was signed during the visit along with two MoUs for HICDPs. FS

handed over equipment to set up 67 children’s parks across the Maldives. FS also announced

India’s support to Foreign Minister Shahid for the latter’s candidacy for the post of UNGA President

in 2022.

20. EAM visited the Maldives in Feb 2021. During the visit, the UTF Agreement to develop a

harbour for the MNDF, and a USD 50 million LoC for the MNDF were also signed. EAM gifted

100,000 doses of COVISHIELD vaccines to the Maldives. EAM also announced a USD 40 million LoC

for sports infrastructure for the Maldives. AFCONS signed the contract for the EXIM Bank of India

supported Addu Roads LoC project during the visit.

21. Foreign Minister Shahid visited India in April 2021 and July 2021 (as UNGA President).

Revised MoU for HICDPs increasing outlay to MVR 155 mn was signed during the latter visit.

22. EAM visited Addu City in Maldives in March 2022. Several agreements were signed in areas

Rehabilitation Centre, Hulhudhoo and Eco-Tourism Zone, Meedhoo.

by key Ministers and a business delegation. H.E. President Solih had official talks with Prime

PM Modi jointly launched 'first-pouring of concrete for the GMCP'; reviewed progress on

construction of 4000 Social Housing Units in Hulhumale' under Buyers' Credit and other ongoing

bilateral projects. Several agreements were signed in areas of Cybersecurity, Disaster

Management, fisheries, Capacity Building of Local Govt representatives. Key announcements made

replacement ship for the earlier provided ship-CGS Huravee -to MNDF iv) Supply of the second

Landing Craft Assault (LCA) v) Gifting of 24 utility vehicles to MNDF. H.E. President Solih

participated in India-Maldives Business forums held in Delhi and Mumbai. H.E. President Solih also

visited Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT), Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) & Mumbai Film City.

24. Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid paid an official visit to India as President UNGA in August

besides reviewing the bilateral partnership with his Maldivian counterpart and other meetings, FS

procured through grant support to the Maldives Correctional Services. FS also symbolically handed

26. EAM Dr. S. Jaishakar visited Northern Atolls of Maldives in January 2023. EAM witnessed

exchange of several agreements viz. (i) MoU for additional grant assistance of MVR 100 million for

the HICDPs scheme, (ii) MoU between Maldives National University and Cochin University of

Science & Technology on capacity building to facilitate exchanges and co-operative initiative in the

area of education, research, development instruction, community service, staff and student

exchanges & (iii) MoU for development of a sports complex in GDh Gadhdhoo. Also witnessed the

handover of two sea ambulances to the Ministry of Defence of Maldives, a project carried out

under the HICDP Scheme. Jointly inaugurated Foakaidhoo Community Centre facilitated under

Indian grant assistance. Also attended the ground breaking ceremony of Hanimaadhoo

International Airport Development Project, being constructed under the Indian LoC. In addition,

EAM also witnessed the signing of agreement to develop the MIFCO Felivaru Cold Storage Complex

under the Indian LoC.

27. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh visited Maldives on an official visit in May 2023. During his

visit, besides various calls on and meetings, DM attended the ceremony for the commissioning of

scheme, in Addu City. Also participated in the Groundbreaking Ceremony of Addu Reclamation

Project and Gan International Airport Development Project, both being funded under GoI’s

concessional LoC. Also witnessed the exchange of 10 MoUs under HICDP Phase-II and handing

over of Anti-TB Medicines to the Maldives’ Ministry of Health. Also had Interaction with the

members of Indian community in Maldives.

29. Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid visited India on an official visit in July 2023. FM besides

meeting EAM, also delivered 43rd Sapru House Lecture at Indian Council of World Affairs, New

Delhi. Both Ministers also witnessed exchange of 09 HICDPs MoU.

30. Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the new democratically elected H.E. President

of Maldives Dr. Mohamed Muizzu. PM Modi conveyed that “India remains committed to

strengthening the time-tested India-Maldives bilateral relationship and enhancing our overall

cooperation in the Indian Ocean Region”.

31. Minister of the Earth Sciences Kiren Rijiju represented India at H.E. President Muizzu’s

swearing in ceremony of ceremony. During the visit, Hon’ble Minister also called on President Solih

and President Dr. Muizzu. Minister also reviewed the progress of various India-supported

Dr. Muizzu met. Both leaders reviewed the wide ranging bilateral relations including people-to-

the leaders also discussed ways to further deepen their partnership. In this regard, they agreed to

33. In Jan 2024, H.E. Foreign Minister Moosa Zameer and EAM Dr. S. Jaishankar met on the

sidelines of the Ministerial Meeting of the NAM in Kampala, Uganda. Later, in May 2024, H.E.

Foreign Minister Moosa Zameer paid first official visit to India and met EAM Dr. S Jaishankar and

discussed bilateral and regional issues of mutual interest.

34. In June 2024, H.E. President Dr. Muizzu alongwith his senior delegation visited India to

participate in the swearing-in ceremony of PM Modi and the Council of Ministers. Following the

swearing-in ceremony, both leaders met. H.E. President Dr. Muizzu also attended a Banquet hosted

by President Smt. Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan. On 10

met President of India. Also, EAM Dr S. Jaishankar called on H.E. President Dr. Muizzu.

Security & Defence Cooperation:

Maldives. India has adopted a very flexible and accommodating approach in meeting Maldivian

requirements of defence training and equipment. A comprehensive Action Plan for Defence was

also signed in April 2016 to consolidate defence partnership.

patrols, joint exercises, anti-narco ops, SAR, sea-rider prog, HADR exercises, sailing regatta, etc.

transfers have been conducted since 2019. Besides providing medical equipments, a team of

expertise with MNDF doctors. Many MNDF doctors have / are being trained at AFMC, Pune.

37. India-Maldives Defence Cooperation also extends to the areas of Joint Exercises, Maritime

Domain Awareness, gifting of hardware, infrastructure development, etc. Key projects in the

38. Institutional Mechanisms. Annual Defence Cooperation Dialogue at level of Defence

Secretary was initiated in July 2016 with 2

COVID19 pandemic, the 3

edition of DCD was conducted at Male on 14 Feb 2022. 04 DCD was

conducted in March 2023. Annual Joint Staff Talks were started in Feb 2016 and 6th edition was

conducted in Dec 2022. MNDF continues to participate in various fora such as IONS, Goa Maritime

Conclave and Goa Symposium. There are presently 3 major joint exercises – bilateral i.e. “Ekuverin”

and “Ekatha” and trilateral i.e. “Dosti” (incl Srilanka). which are held regularly at dates decided in

mutual consultations. Most recently, in Feb 2024, the trilateral exercise “Dosti” was held in Male’,

with Bangladesh as observer.

39. Disaster Management. MNDF regularly participates in Humanitarian Assistance & Disaster

Relief, Search & Rescue (SAR), Pollution Control, other exercises organised by India. India

previously provided pollution dispersant to MNDF Coast Guard in 2016. India is also undertaking

customised trainings for MNDF Fire and Rescue Service in India.

40. Development Cooperation

The major completed and ongoing development assistance projects executed by India are:

 Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital. The hospital was built with Indian Grant Assistance in

1995. Major renovation of IGMH funded by GoI was completed in June 2017 at a cost of

 Maldives Institute of Technical Education (now called the Maldives Polytechnic): The

MoU for setting up Maldives Institute for Technical Education (MITE) was signed in March

1992. MITE was completed at a cost of INR 12 Cr and handed over to GoM in Sept 1996.

 India-Maldives Faculty of Hospitality & Tourism Studies: The foundation stone for the

Faculty was jointly laid by Late PM Vajpayee and President Gayoom during the former’s visit

was officially handed over to GoM in Feb 2014.

 Technology Adoption Programme in Education Sector in Maldives: The USD 5.3 million

project fully funded by GoI was launched in June 2011 to provide ICT training to Maldivian

teachers and youth and for vocational training. The project concluded in Dec 2013.

Bilateral projects under Cash Grant of INR 50 crore (MVR 106.8 million): During the official

economic development, particularly creation of infrastructure in the education, health or

centres, community outdoor gyms & children parks, coastal protection, street lighting, student

ferry between islands, vehicles for city councils, police infrastructure, sports infrastructure,

inclusive education units, school classrooms project, emergency health unit, etc across islands

were taken up for implementation. All of projects have been completed.

and Maldives regarding grant assistance of MVR 85 million for implementation of HICDPs through

Local Bodies was signed during EAM’s visit to Maldives in March 2019. The MoU was revised in July

2021 to enlarge the grant assistance to MVR 155 million from MVR 85 million. In January 2023,

MoU for additional grant assistance of MVR 100 million for the HICDPs scheme was signed. A total

of 47 HICDPs have been undertaken, out of which 08 have been completed and inaugurated.

Large Grant Projects: GoI is also supporting restoration of Hukuru Miskiiy (Friday Mosque) in

Malé under Indian Grant of INR 8.95 crores. This was announced by Prime Minister during his

address to the Majlis in June 2019.

Infrastructure & Connectivity Projects under Exim Bank Lines of Credit

4 Indian contractors in March 2021. Many of the projects have been commissioned and

handed over.

Addu Development Project (Roads and Land Reclamation): This is a key infrastructure

project required for Addu to establish itself as the southern regional hub of Maldives. The

scope includes roads, street lighting, storm water drainage, shore protection and land

reclamation for the development of tourism infrastructure. On the basis of tendering

process, the contract was awarded to AFCONS and work is progressing well. On the basis of

awarded to Indian subsidiary of a Dutch company “Van Oord’. Reclamation segment of the

project has been completed.

Expansion of Maldives Industrial Fisheries Company Limited (MIFCO) facilities in

MIFCO Felivaru and Gemanafushi was awarded to Rinac India Limited in January 2023.

Airport Redevelopment Projects in Hanimaadhoo and Gan: The EXIM Bank of India is

for both these projects which have been prepared by the Airports Authority of India. On

the basis of tendering process, GoM awarded the contract for Redevelopment of

Hanimaadhoo in September, 2022 to JMC Projects India Pvt Ltd. In Feb 2023, Ministry of

Economic Development, on the basis of tendering process, awarded the contractor to

Greater Male Connectivity Project: The project aims to connect Male to Villingili, Gulhifalhu and

Thilafushi islands through a series of bridges, causeways and roads. The project is crucial for the

proposed Gulhifalhu Port, and will be a major catalyst for the Maldivian economy in the future

through jobs and economic activity. It is funded through a separate USD 400 million LoC and USD

100 million grant from India. On the basis of tendering process, GoM awarded the contract to

AFCONS in August 2021. The project is progressing well and is monitored regularly by a Joint

Project Monitoring Committee (JPMC).

USD 50 million Defence Line of Credit was concluded during EAM’s visit to Maldives in Feb 2021.

USD 40 million Sports Line of Credit was extended to the Maldives in Sept 2021 to develop the

Housing Units (2800 units of 3 bedrooms and 1200 units of 2 bedrooms) in Hulhumale’

Phase II. The construction is being undertaken by National Buildings Construction

Company (NBCC) and JMC Projects (India) Ltd. The project is under implementation.

 Road projects: Earlier, EXIM Bank had extended around $53 million in Buyers’ Credit to a

Mohan Mutha- Ashoka Buildcon JV for development of roads in Hulhumale’ Phase I & II.

The project has been completed.

million to develop Police Infrastructure in Maldives was signed during H.E. President Solih's

visit. The ground breaking ceremony was held at Thulusdhoo island on 10

th

August 2022.

Bilateral Economic and Trade Relations

41. India and Maldives signed a trade agreement in 1981, which provides for export of

essential commodities. In April 2024, under the same agreement, upon the request of the

Government of Maldives, GoI has allowed for export of certain quantities of essential

commodities for the year 2024-25, wherein, the quotas for each of these items have been

revised upwards. The approved quantities are the highest since this arrangement came into

effect in 1981. Growing from modest beginnings, India-Maldives bilateral trade crossed the USD

42. India emerged as Maldives’ 2

nd

largest trade partner in 2022 & the largest in 2023

.

Indian

imports from the Maldives primarily comprise scrap metals while Indian exports to the Maldives

include a variety of engineering and industrial products like drugs and pharmaceuticals, radar

apparatus, rock boulders, aggregates, cement and agriculture produce like rice, spices, fruits,

vegetables and poultry produce etc. Efforts are being made to tap the potential of seafood exports

from Maldives to India. In Aug 2022, facilitation of duty free tuna exports to India from Maldives

was announced.

Bilateral trade figures (Jan-Dec, in US$ million)

Year

2017 282.04 4.12 286.16

2018 286.13 3.01 288.14

2019 290.27 3.42 293.69

2020 241.90 3.33 245.23

2021 317.35 5.94 323.29

2022 495.40 6.42 501.82

2023 543.83 5.14 548.97

2024 (till April’24) 185.12 1.62 183.52

(Source: Maldives Customs Service)

43. State Bank of India has been playing a vital role in the economic development of the

Maldives since February, 1974 by providing loan assistance for promotion of island resorts, export

of marine products and business enterprises. In November 2022, India in response to a request

from the Government of Maldives, amid the economic challenges faced by the Maldives, handed

over a financial assistance of US$ 100 million. This financial support is through subscription in

SBI for this financial assistance. In May 2024, on the special request of Govt of Maldives

seeking budgetary support, SBI Maldives has subscribed for one more year the USD 50 mn

Govt T-bill, at zero-cost (interest free) under a unique G-to-G arrangement.

quarter of GDP of Maldives and indirectly for a much larger proportion of GDP. In terms of direct

sectors are included, the contribution of tourism sector in total employment (direct and indirect)

would rise up to nearly 70%.

46. In 2018, India was 5

the Maldives with nearly 63,000 Indians visited the Maldives. From 2021 to 2023, India continued

as the top tourists market with over 2.91 lakh, 2.41 lakh & 2.09 lakh Indian tourist arrivals and a

23%, 14.4% & 11.1% market share, respectively. Since 2019, more than 1 million Indian tourists

have visited India. In 2024, India with 54,786 tourists arrivals (as on 04 June’24) is the 6th leading

source market for Maldives with a 6% market share. In March 2022, India & Maldives agreed for an

open skies arrangement which will further improve air connectivity between two countries.

Education & Capacity Building

47. India has been a traditional partner for the Maldives in human resource development

across sectors for decades. Several Maldivian youths acquire their higher education in India

Universities every year. Indian teachers are popular at Maldivian schools across islands for

institutional linkages between counterpart organisations on both sides have increased adding heft

to capacity building and training initiatives. Various MoUs have been signed focusing on capacity

building of Human resources includes (i) Civil Services between Civil Services Commission (CSC)

and National Centre for Good Governance (NCGG), (ii) Cooperation in Customs Capacity Building