Maldives and India have signed 13 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) for projects to be implemented under the Indian grant assistance scheme—High Impact Community Development Project (HICDP) Phase III. The signing ceremony took place at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, marking another milestone in the ever-strengthening partnership between the two countries.
The 13 projects launched under this phase amount to a total grant of USD 6.48 million, primarily aimed at enhancing ferry services in the Maldives, expanding connectivity, and uplifting community livelihoods.
The MoUs were signed by Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr Abdulla Khaleel on behalf of the Maldivian government, and High Commissioner of India to the Maldives, G Balasubramanian,, on behalf of India. Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation, Mohamed Ameen signed on behalf of the implementing agency.
During the ceremony, Foreign Minister Khaleel emphasised that India’s assistance has always been meaningful, purposeful, and aligned with the needs of the Maldivian people, reflecting the enduring bond between the two countries. He highlighted that the projects launched are more than just infrastructural developments—they are lifelines to communities, designed to address local needs and bring lasting socio-economic benefits. He further expressed confidence that the successful implementation of these projects would pave the way for even greater cooperation and shared progress, underscoring the spirit of friendship that defines Maldives-India relations.
Minister Ameen, speaking on the project, highlighted the rapid progress in establishing a nationwide high-speed ferry network, now connecting 81 islands across nine atolls. He noted that the MoUs signed with India will further expand these services, reinforcing the strong bilateral ties between the two countries. Although initially scheduled for completion in 2027, the project is now expected to be finalised by the end of this year—a strong commitment by President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu.
Both the Ministers expressed gratitude to the government of India for its generous support, highlighting its transformative impact on Maldivian communities. Dr Khaleel expressed heartfelt appreciation to the Government and people of India, thanking Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his personal commitment to advancing bilateral cooperation. The Minister also extended his sincere gratitude to India’s Minister of External Affairs, Dr S Jaishankar for his support to strengthen bilateral ties and acknowledged High Commissioner Balasubramanian and his team for their dedication to deepening Maldives-India partnership.
The announcement of Phase III of the HICDP scheme was made during the State Visit to India by President Dr Mohamed Muizzu last October. The ceremony was attended by senior officials from the Maldives and the High Commission of India.