India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi has stated that Maldives has a “special place” in India’s neighborhood-first policy.

He said this during the official talks held between the governments of Maldives and India .The Maldivian delegation at the talks, held at the Hyderabad House in New Delhi, India on Tuesday afternoon, was led by President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.

The discussion saw the Maldivian President and Indian PM shedding light on the close bilateral relationship between both countries, which dates back several generations.

President Solih and PM Modi reviewed the progress of past and present cooperation and went on to discuss future cooperation and ways to strengthen existing ties in a number of areas where both countries have mutual agreements.

Expressing gratitude to the government of India for the socioeconomic and infrastructural assistance provided to the Maldives, the Maldivian leader particularly shed light on the assistance on the Greater Malé Connectivity Bridge Project, the proposed Cancer Hospital in Gan, Laamu Atoll and the development of 4000 housing units underway in Hulhumalé, as well as the commitment to finance an additional 2000 housing units in the Greater Male’ Region.

Stating that both countries would greatly benefit from tourism cooperation, President Solih reaffirmed the Maldives’ commitment to work with India to address the threat of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.

President Solih went on to express gratitude for the continued support the neighboring country provides towards the development of human resource in the Maldives every year.

With this being said, the Maldivian president welcomed India’s pledge to achieve net zero-carbon emissions by 2070 and reaffirmed his own government’s target to attain net-zero carbon emissions by 2030.

Highlighting that he is keen to work closely with India to strengthen and diversify trade relations and investment opportunities between the two countries, President Solih applauded the ongoing efforts to make ‘RuPay’ Cards available in the Maldives. This, he said will enhance bilateral travel, tourism and economic ties to the mutual benefit of both countries.

The meeting also saw PM Modi commending the Solih Administration for effectively controlling the Covid-19 pandemic, which he said serves as an example for the whole region.

PM Modi asserted that India's neighborhood-first policy is beneficial particularly during the pandemic, and that Maldives has a “special place” in the policy.

Going on to state that India has always supported various development projects in the Maldives and assured that this will continue, PM Modi said that the visa agreement signed during President Solih’s last visit to India helped enhance tourism.

PM Modi added that India will continue to support youth and sports development.

This comes at a time Maldives recently hosted multiple regional and international sports events which paves way for the possible introduction of sports tourism.

The official talks also saw PM Modi and President Solih reaffirming their commitment to bolstering the fraternal bonds of friendship between the two countries.

The leaders also held a one-on-one meeting followed by restricted talks between the two governments.