India, Maldives sign four MoUs to boost ties7Photo© dnaindia.com

India, Maldives sign four MoUs to boost ties

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New Delhi and Male on Monday signed four agreements, including a $100 million Indian grant for an ambitious connectivity project, during Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla’s visit to the Maldives.

In addition to two MoUs for “high impact” community development projects, the countries signed an MoU on cooperation in sports and youth affairs and another for the $100 million grant, which is part of India’s “$500 million package” for the Greater Male Connectivity Project (GMCP). Last month, the two governments inked a deal for a $400 million line of credit from the Exim Bank of India.

Mr. Shringla’s visit comes two months after External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Maldives Foreign Minister Abdullah Shahid held a virtual discussion, and about a fortnight after U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s visit to the island nation. Amid New Delhi’s growing concern over China’s growing influence in the region, the ties with the Maldives have remained under sharp focus.