The Indian government has extended financial support of USD 500 million to the Greater Malé Connectivity Project that will connect Malé, Vilimale', Thilafushi and Gulhifalhu, via bridges and causeways.

Once completed, the Project will be the single largest infrastructure project in the Maldives with total length of 6.695 kilometers.

This aid comes as part of the financial package worth 250 million US dollars to the Government of Maldives in meeting the Government’s financing gap, and support the Government’s efforts in responding to COVID-19.

The financial assistance was announced during a Digital Video Conference held today, between the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Maldives Abdulla Shahid and Minister of External Affairs of India Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar.

The meeting also reviewed progress on the ongoing development projects between the two countries. In this context, the two ministers acknowledged the good progress being made on the projects that are being considered under the 800 million US Dollar Line of Credit. The 800 million US Dollar Line of Credit was announced during the State Visit of President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih to India in December 2018, for which the Agreement was signed between the Indian Export Import Bank and the Ministry of Finance in March 2019. Several key infrastructure projects are currently being considered for financing under the Line of Credit. Both Ministers agreed to work towards further accelerating implementation on these key infrastructure projects.

A statement issued by the Maldivian Foreign Ministry said that both Ministers also agreed on the significance of the smaller projects which are being carried out under the Indian High Impact Community Development Projects Scheme and the cash grant of MVR 106 million by the Government of India.

Nineteen projects in 74 inhabited islands, in eighteen atolls, have been approved for financing under the cash grant, and nine projects are being implemented under the High Impact Community Development Scheme.

On 1 November 2020, the Maldives and India will celebrate 55 years since the establishment of formal diplomatic relations between the two countries. Both countries share traditionally strong and friendly ties, enjoy a strong developmental partnership, and vibrant people-to-people connections, nurtured by geographical proximity, ethnic, historic, socio-economic, and cultural ties.

At the meeting, both Ministers acknowledged that the relationship has undergone a significant revitalization and experienced renewed dynamism since President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih assumed office.

They agreed that the frequent exchanges at the highest levels, ministerial visits, and a record number of agreements have resulted in an expanded scope of cooperation between the two countries, towards the mutual benefit of both peoples.