Minister of Finance Ibrahim Ameer has stated the financial assistance provided by India to the Maldives in the past two years has been the biggest assistance extended by a foreign country to the Maldives.
Speaking at a ceremony held to hand over the USD 250 million grant assistance extended by the government of India, Finance Minister Ameer noted India has provided financial assistance to the Maldives in multiple projects and programmes since President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih assumed office in 2018. As such, he highlighted the USD 800 million credit facility extended in 2018, as well as the USD 500 million extended as assistance to the Greater Male’ Connectivity Bridge project. He said the assistance received by India over the last two years is the biggest financial assistance received by the Maldives from a foreign country.
In addition to providing financial assistance, India has also provided essential food and medical supplies amid the COVID-19 pandemic. India has also helped to evacuate Maldivians stranded abroad amid the pandemic, while also making special arrangements to transfer Maldivian patients to India for advanced medical treatment.