Subscribe for notification
Categories: Latest

India Has Said Yes To Extend Debt Repayment Deadline: Maldives Foreign Minister

Maldivian Foreign Minister Moosa Zameer has said that significant strides have been made in expediting India-assisted projects in the Maldives, as he underscored the government’s commitment to prioritising the resumption and completion of these projects.

Mr Zameer, who visited India from May 8 to 10 on his very first bilateral official visit, said he and his Indian counterpart S Jaishankar engaged in bilateral discussions on May 9 to address pivotal matters aimed at expediting the projects initiated with India’s financial assistance.

He said the discussions with S Jaishankar focused on the operational dynamics of the committees entrusted with executing these projects, psmnews.mv reported.

Speaking at a press conference held in the President’s Office, Mr Zameer said India has given the Maldives the green signal to extend the repayment deadline for $ 150 million of a $ 200 million debt. The loan was secured by the previous government upon assuming office in 2019.

Mr Zameer said that $ 50 million of the $ 200 million owed to India was repaid in January. He emphasised that the Indian government has not made any demands in exchange for extending the repayment period of the remaining $ 150 million.

The minister said that a spectrum of initiatives across the Maldives have been kickstarted through loans and grants from India during the previous administration.

He said significant strides have been made in expediting India-assisted projects.

He emphasised the current government’s commitment to prioritising the resumption and completion of these projects. He also underscored his dedication to this endeavour during his recent visit to India.

During the official discussions between the two nations, S Jaishankar reiterated the significance of India’s ongoing projects in the Maldives.

Mr Zameer’s visit to India came amid a downturn in the bilateral ties between the two countries since pro-China president Mohamed Muizzu assumed office six months back.

The relations between the two countries came under severe strain in view of Muizzu insisting on withdrawal of Indian military personnel operating three military platforms in the island nation.

Mr Zameer on Saturday said 76 Indian military personnel were replaced by civilian employees of the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited which manufactured the two helicopters gifted by India, thus also ending the suspense over the exact number of those repatriated at the insistence of Male.

However, the Maldives government has no intention of removing the doctors from India at Senahiya. 

Recent Posts

“Intention To Dupe UPSC”: Ex-IAS Trainee Puja Khedkar Denied Pre-Arrest Bail

The Delhi High Court has denied anticipatory bail to former IAS trainee officer Puja Khedkar,…

57 minutes ago

Trinamool Leader Fails To Comply With Defamation Ruling, Minister’s Wife Moves Court

Former United Nations Assistant Secretary-General Lakshmi Puri moved the Delhi High Court against Trinamool Congress…

1 hour ago

More Than Half Of Kolkata’s Iconic Yellow Taxis To Be Off Roads In 2025, Here’s Why

Over 64 per cent of the iconic yellow taxis in Kolkata will be off the…

1 hour ago

Data Exclusivity Anti Poor, Anti-Farmer, Anti Self-Reliance: Ashwani Mahajan

Implementing data exclusivity could impact India's pharmaceutical and agricultural sectors and public health, Ashwani Mahajan,…

1 hour ago

Year Ender 2024: What Donald Trump’s Return To White House Means For World

US President-elect Donald Trump has for months insisted that all would have been well with…

1 hour ago

Delta Airline Passenger Gets Frustrated After His First-Class Seat Was Given To Service Dog

A Reddit post has gone viral after an airline passenger was downgraded from his first-class…

3 hours ago