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India is supporting 65 community development projects worth 23 million USD in Maldives and steady progress has been achieved in implementing them, the Indian mission said on May 30, 2024. Of the 47 High Impact Community Projects in Maldives under grants from the Indian government approved till November 2023, as many as eight have been completed.
Notwithstanding the diplomatic row, in recent times India is supporting Maldives in the development of 65 community projects worth MVR 360 million (USD 23 million) in the archipelagic nation, the Indian High Commission said. “While the grant is being provided by the Indian government, implementation of these projects is also undertaken by the institutions appointed by the Maldivian government,” a local news channel said.
“Happy to note steady progress of Greater Male Connectivity Project (GMCP) being implemented by the Indian grants and concessional credit of 500 million USD. GMCP is a transformational infrastructure project which will stimulate economic growth and improve ease of living in Maldives,” the Indian High Commission in Maldives posted on X. on May 30, 2024.
The post on X came after Maldives Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the High Commission of India and the Maldives held a two-day meeting to review the ongoing projects when it was discussed that even as eight projects are completed the rest of the High Impact Community Development Projects remain at different levels of progress.
These include a wide variety of projects spread to the atolls. Some initiatives included are the establishment of fish processing plants, drug detoxification centres, cultural centres youth centres and sports complexes, local media reported. Ambassador Ahmed Naseer and Indian High Commissioner of Maldives Munu Mahawar co-chaired the meeting which saw participation of senior government officials and other stakeholders.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for this Indian Grant Assistance on the implementation of the High Impact Community Development Projects through local institutions was initially signed between India and Maldives on March 17, 2019, it said, adding, “At that time the MoU outlined a grant totalling USD 5.5 million (MVR 85 million).”
In 2021, this MoU was renewed, increasing the grant to USD ten million (MVR 155 million). In January 2023, the yet another MoU was signed this time USD 6.5 million (MVR 100 million) increment bridging the HICDP grant from India to Maldives to a total of USD 16.5 million (MVR 2.5 million). Additionally, there are also cash grant projects worth over USD 7 million (MVR 107 million) for multiple projects.
India-Maldives Relations turned sour when within hours of his oath taking, President Mohamed Muizzu demanded India to withdraw its military personnel manning three aviation platforms from his country. The last of the military personnel were repatriated earlier this month and replaced by civilian personnel from India.
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