India is preparing to announce a financial assistance package for Maldives, to support its recovery from Covid-19.

Indian High Commissioner of Maldives, Sunjay Sudhir, revealed this in his message on the occasion of Maldives’ 55th Independence Day.

Noting that India “will soon announce another substantial financial assistance package to support Maldivian economy and assist in economic recovery post Covid-19”, the high commissioner said that Maldives and India have an “all-weather friendship steeped with history and with a glorious future”.

He added that “India First” policy of Maldives and Neighbourhood First policy of India have set the foundation of the growing relationship.”

India has provided various assistance to the Maldives since the Covud-19 pandemic, including in repatriation of Maldivians stranded in other nations, providing essential supplies and even approving the travel of Maldivian patients requiring critical care despite the country’s borders being closed off amid the pandemic.

Noting that India has provided “all possible assistance to the government of Maldives”, Sudhir noted that “assistance of USD 400 million through an extended Currency Swap Arrangement has been made available already to tide over liquidity shortage”.