The Maldives government hailed India on Monday after the country extended budget support of $50 million to the island nation as part of its Neighbourhood First Policy. Maldives foreign minister Moosa Zameer expressed his gratitude to India for providing vital support to Male, terming it a “true gesture of goodwill”. India extended the budgetary support for the Maldives in the form of a rollover of a $50 million Treasury Bill for an additional year through the State Bank of India, aligning with its Neighbourhood First Policy.
Expressing gratitude to External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, Maldivian Foreign Minister Zameer said that their government is “highly appreciative of the generous support that India has been providing to Maldives in the form of budgetary support”, signifying the longstanding friendship between the two nations. Prior to the budgetary support, India had increased budget allocation for the Maldives to ₹770.9 crore in its annual budget this year, while also providing $4.5 billion in aid to the island nation.
The significant relief provided by India for the Maldives in the form of budgetary support came after the Maldives Foreign Minister visited India on May 8th amidst the downturn in bilateral relations between the two countries. Acknowledging India’s vital assistance, the Muizzu government said that through New Delhi’s support, a large number of infrastructure projects are underway in the island nation, adding that the Maldivian government looks forward to continuing this collaborative partnership for the mutual benefit of both nations.
It is essential to note that during the visit to India, the Maldivian minister apologized for the Muizzu government’s “derogatory remarks” against India, and assured that Male is “taking proper action” to ensure that such actions are not repeated. For the unversed, earlier three Maldivian ministers made disrespectful comments regarding PM Narendra Modi, while President Muizzu had termed India a “bully” during his visit to China. BYTE: video 6: 0.16 to 0.34 Moosa Zameer, Maldives FM
In response to Muizzu’s “bully remark, taking a veiled dig, EAM Jaishankar said that “big bullies don’t provide $4.5 billion aid” when neighboring countries are in distress. it is worth noting that besides aid assistance, India also increased budget allocation for the Maldives to ₹770.9 crore in its annual budget this year despite Male’s cold stance toward New Delhi.
BYTE: VIDEO 10: 1.20 to 1.48 S. Jaishankar, EAM
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