New Maldives-India visa deal to be implemented on Monday
The agreement will provide a liberal visa policy for Maldivians seeking medical treatment as well as education and business opportunities in India
President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi | Presidents Office
Maldives and India are to implement their new visa agreement on Monday.
In February, both governments exchanged diplomatic notes and agreed to implement the visa facilitation agreement after completing the required procedures.
President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih signed the agreement in his state visit to India last December. India's President Ram Nath Kovind has also given his signature after India's Union Cabinet gave its approval.
President Solih along with India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Kovind agreed on the new visa deal to further improve relations between the two countries.
The agreement will provide a liberal visa policy for Maldivians seeking medical treatment as well as education and business opportunities in India.
The visa deal will allow Maldivian businessmen and tourists to stay in India for 90 days without a Visa. Maldivians with tourist visas can also stay in India for treatment if they suffer a sudden medical issue.
President Solih’s government has been renewing ties with neighboring India after the past few years saw it deteriorate, beginning with a previous Maldives government’s decision to cancel a deal with Indian firm GMR.
Maldives’ decades-long friendship with India deteriorated further during President Abdulla Yameen’s administration after it signed a trade deal with China and refused to obey a Supreme Court order to release political prisoners.
