The Maldives and India are set to exchange agreements on the launch of four key projects on Wednesday.
The projects are to be officially launched by President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, via a live video conference, at 3:30pm.
The projects include the gifting of in-shore patrol vessel CGS Kaamiyaabu from the Government of India to the Maldives National Defense Force Coast Guard and the exchange of agreements under the High Impact Community Development Projects which would see undertakings targeting socio-economic development and improvement of public welfare—including the launch of the project to develop Neighbourhood Fish Processing Plants in three islands of Addu City.
The Maldives and India will also exchange agreements for the use of RuPay Card in the Maldives, in addition to gifting LED streetlights to Malé City by the Indian Government. The LED streetlights are gifted as part of the collaboration between the two countries in the field of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.
The two leaders will also deliver remarks at the video conference, set to be simulcast live, the first time Maldives is exchanging bilateral agreements with another country via video conferencing.
Maldives ties with India had soured during former President Abdulla Yameen's term, as he focused building relations with China; something which was criticized by the then-opposition
Since the new government took over, relations with India have been observably and equally improving.
Likewise, India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih's inauguration last November, and Solih's maiden trip abroad was to India. PM Modi made an official visit to the Maldives in May this year.