The Maldives and India have launched the construction of a harbour for the Coast Guard of the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) at Sifavaru, Uthuru Thilafalhu.
The foundation stone for the Coast Guard Ekatha Harbour was laid by Minister of Defence Mariya Ahmed Didi and her Indian counterpart Rajnath Singh. Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid, High Commissioner of India to the Maldives Munu Mahawar and senior officers from MNDF also attended the ceremony.
The Maldives signed an agreement with India on February 21, 2021, to develop the harbour and naval dockyard in the area. Under the agreement, India will provide assistance to the Maldives in developing a jetty, a harbour repair facility (HRF), a slipway, and other infrastructure facilities for the harbour, as well as communication facilities and radar services. India will provide assistance for a period of 15 years in training individuals, and local personnel and repairing and maintenance of various facilities in the harbour and dockyard.
Defence Minister Singh had concluded his three-day official visit to the Maldives. During his visit, he met with President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and cabinet ministers to discuss further strengthening of bilateral relations. He also replaced the Coast Guard Ship Huravee donated by India with a new vessel during his visit.