Post-Nasheed tension, India, Maldives give 6-pact fillip to ties

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, April 11

India and Maldives today tried to give a fresh impetus to their ties with PM Narendra Modi and the visiting Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom holding talks over lunch. 

Both the countries today signed six agreements in different sectors, including avoidance of double taxation, conservation and restoration of ancient mosque, tourism and defence. Addressing mediapersons after a delegation-level talks, Modi referred to India’s “neighbourhood first” policy and said a stable and secure Maldives was in India’s interest.

The PM said India understood its role as a net security provider in the Indian Ocean and was ready to protect its strategic interests in this region. Modi also called for cooperation between the security agencies of both countries to tackle the menace of rising radicalisation of youth and terrorism. In his remarks, the Maldivian President said India was the most important friend of the Maldives. “Our ties are based on civilisational roots,” he said, adding, “Our security is intimately linked with India’s security.” 

The Maldivian President‘s first state visit after assuming office was to India in January 2014. He was also among the SAARC leaders, who had attended the swearing-in ceremony of Modi in May 2014.

India and the Maldives have shared a close relationship but recent developments have led to a distance between the two nations. India is uncomfortable with China’s growing footprint in the Maldives and the increasing rate of its investments there. Maldives, however, has certain resentment as it feels India sided with former President Mohamed Nasheed.