Indian High Commission in the Maldives has said that during his official visit to the Maldives, the Indian Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla, will be signing the agreement for the USD 100 million in free aid for the ThilaMale’ Bridge Project connection Male’ City, Vilimale’, Thilafushi and Gulhifalhu.

A total of USD 500 million is set to given by the Indian government for the project that totals to MVR 7.7 billion. That consists of USD 100 million in free aid and a loan component of USD 400 million that needs to be repaid in 20 years with an interest rate of 1.75 after a grace period of five years.

The Indian High Commission said that the USD 100 million grant agreement for the Greater Male’ Area Connectivity Project is part of the Foreign Secretary Harsh’s visit to the Maldives.

The visit also entails the signing of two agreements that is connected to the High-Impact Community Development Project (HICDP) and taking part in the handover ceremony for the tools for parks in 67 islands.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the Indian Foreign Secretary is visiting on the invitation of the Maldivian Foreign Secretary, Abdul Gafoor Mohamed and marks the first visit by the 33rd Foreign Secretary of India, Harsh Vardhan Shringla since he took office on 29 January 2020.

The Indian Foreign Secretary is going make a courtesy calls on President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and the Speaker of the Parliament, former President Mohamed Nasheed.

Aside from them, the Indian Foreign Secretary will be meeting the Minister of Finance and Treasury, Ibrahim Ameer, Economic Minister, Fayy aaz Ismail, Minister of National Planning, Housing and Infrastructure, Mohamed Aslam, Defence Minister, Mariya Ahmed Didi and the Tourism Minister, Dr. Abdulla Mausoom.