India does not expect anything in return from Maldives: Ambassador

India does not expect anything in return from the Maldives, says Ambassador of India to the Maldives, Sunjay Sudhir.

Giving an exclusive interview to privately-run television station, RaajjeTV, Ambassador Sudhir stated that the relationship both countries have enjoyed for over 50 years is a non-reciprocal one. Highlighting that in a friendship based on trust, there are no expectations, the Indian ambassador stated that it is not what drives a relationship.

He added that “this is why” the relationship between Maldives and India has stood the stress of times.

While the upcoming year marks 55 years of friendship, Ambassador Sudhir highlighted that these have been “momentous” years.

Especially the past one year has been “very intense” since President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih was sworn in and his maiden state visit to India in December, there has been a flurry of activities and engagements within a month since the new government took over, said Sudhir.

Adding that areas of work which were there earlier has expanded in a “major way”, the ambassador said that one of the biggest things that went down during the past one year was the economic backing of USD 1.4 million that provided immediate grant support as the Maldivian economy was not in good shape at the time.

As such, there was a budgetary support of USD 50 million, treasury bills and a line of credit providing USD 800 million so as to give immediate impetus to the economy.

The ambassador highlighted that so many projects have been initiated under the grant aid, which will only be completely visible after a while. Relatively small community projects that have also happened this past year include the signing of 18 Memorandums of Understanding (MoU) under different areas.

Sudhir also highlighted that four meetings in one year, between President Solih and PM Modi, shows the importance placed on the relationship by both countries.

During the visit, PM Modi was able to reach out to the people through his People’s Majlis address which was telecast live, his message having touched down on the relationship enjoyed between both countries and how the Indian government intends to further it in “so many” different ways.

When inquired on his thoughts about the bond between India and Maldives, Sudhir described it to be “perfect”.

Shedding light on Speaker and Former President Mohamed Nasheed’s recent visit to India leading a 10-member delegation, Sudhir said that in democracies, the People’s Majlis plays a very important role, as a key pillar.

As such, if countries work together at a government level, they also require to work hand-in-hand at the judicial level whatever the different pillars of democracy are, he said.

During his visit, the speaker met with the speaker of the Indian parliament, PM Modi, Vice President, Foreign Minister, several parliamentarians and the standing committee on external affairs.

Describing the past week as “the week of Maldives in India”, Sudhir highlighted that about 31 Maldivians participated in the sixth Joint Commission Meeting that took place.

Further, he shed light on the two of the important agreements signed between the governments recently; one in cooperation with the Elections Commission and another on the Financial Intelligence Units of both countries.

While he was also questioned on his thoughts about the outcomes of the agreements signed between the People’s Majlis and the lower house of India's bicameral Parliament, Lok Sabha, Sudhir stated that other things were done like Lok Sabha working with the People’s Majlis for digitization of records as well as providing capacity-building support, providing assistance to draft bills because these are very technical matters and discussions are also underway to start a parliamentary friendship group.

Further, responding to the opposition’s claims that there is a hidden agenda behind the MoUs and agreements, the Indian ambassador added that in today’s world of “transparency” there cannot be anything hidden. India respects President Solih’s trust in transparency, and it is reflected in his key pledges.

Sudhir went on to add that India believes it is the key development partner of Maldives. Highlighting that the location of the small-island state is very strategic, Sudhir said that the region has to be safe and secure with free channels of communication as well as freedom of navigation.

Moreover, the ambassador stated that education and health are key areas through which India has many more on the plate for Maldives. Highlighting that many Maldivians are studying in major cities of India, he said that the government of India prioritizes putting in its best efforts to promote these areas.

Having announced 1,000 capacity building additions for the next five years, the Indian government is also trying to build a 100-bed cancer hospital in Hulhumalé under the Indian grant assistance under which they are already sourcing pharmaceuticals, supplying equipment, providing doctors in Senahiya also in Indhira Gandhi Memorial Hospital as well as collaborating with private sector Indian hospitals.