The Maldives and India have exchanged three Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) in various fields at a ceremony held in Manadhoo, Noonu Atoll. The ceremony was attended by Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid and Minister of External Affairs Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar.
At the ceremony, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Ahmed Khaleel and Indian High Commissioner of India Munu Mahawar exchanged the MoU for additional grant assistance of USD6.5 million for the High Impact Community Development Project (HICDP) scheme. A number of socio-economic development projects are planned to be implemented throughout the country under the funding.
Furthermore, State Minister Khaleel and High Commissioner Munu Mahawar also exchanged the MoU for the development of a sports complex in Gadhdhoo, Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll. The project will establish a centre which will promote youth empowerment through sports and contribute to community development overall.
Additionally, the Maldives National University (MNU) and Cochin University of Science and Technology exchanged the MoU on capacity building to facilitate exchanges and cooperative initiatives between the two universities in the area of education, research, development instruction, community service, and staff and student exchanges.
Also at the ceremony, Minister Shahid and Minister Jaishankar witnessed the handover of two sea ambulances from the government of India to the Ministry of Defence, which was a project carried out under the HICDP scheme. The symbolic token was received by Deputy Minister of Defence Hassan Zameel from High Commissioner Mahawar.