Page 10 - Maldives

Maldives election: The implications of pro-China Muizzu's win for India

In a pivotal election in the Maldives, opposition candidate Mohamed Muizzu has triumphed over incumbent Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, signalling potential geopolitical shifts in the Indian Ocean region.

EC Arun Goel on visit to Maldives to observe presidential election

The first round of the election took place on September 9. Eight candidates are in the fray

SAFF Cup: Bangladesh beat Maldives, keep themselves in semis contention

Bangladesh kept themselves in the hunt for a semifinal berth in the SAFF Championship with a gritty 3-1 win over Maldives here on Sunday. Hamza Mohammad (17th minute) put Maldives in front but Bangladesh struck back through Rakib Hossain (42nd minute), Tariq Kazi (67th minute) and Shekh Morsalin (90th minute) to collect three important points in a Group B match. Maldives also have three points, courtesy their 2-0 win over Bhutan in the first match. Now, both Maldives and Bangladesh are in a must-win situation against Lebanon, who also have 3 points, and Bhutan in their respective last league matches on June 28. Despite a win was mandatory for them to stay afloat, Bangladesh did not show much urgency in the initial stages of the match. Maldives made full use of that laxity to go ahead through Hamza. The goal seemed to have made Bangladesh players realise the need to be more proactive, and it reflected in their moves. They mounted quick counter attacks and closed ranks whenever Mald

India, Maldives able to develop close cooperation at all levels: MoS

India and the Maldives have been able to develop deep and close cooperation at all levels including political, administrative, entrepreneurial and people-to-people ties apart from their strong development partnership, Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan said on Sunday. Muraleedharan, who is in the Maldives on a two-day official visit, said his trip has been highly productive and he was reassured that the bilateral relationship will continue to grow. "I had very engaging and fruitful conversations today with Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid. We discussed topics ranging across the whole partnership spectrum. We were happy with the rapid all-round progress in our bilateral partnership and close coordination on regional and international issues, the minister said. He said the bilateral relationship has achieved huge progress in the last few years under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih. "India and the Maldives have been

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on 3-day visit to Maldives from Monday

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is set to embark on a three-day visit to the Maldives beginning Monday with an aim to bolster bilateral defence and strategic ties, people familiar with the matter said on Saturday. Separately, Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari is likely to visit Sri Lanka on Monday. The planned visits by the defence minister and the Chief of Air Staff to the two key maritime neighbours of India come amid China's persistent efforts to expand its influence in the countries of the region. During his trip to the Maldives, Singh is likely to meet Maldivian President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid and Defence Minister Mariya Didi among others. The defence minister will leave for the Maldives on Monday and will return on Wednesday, the people said. "The focus of the visit will be further expand bilateral defence cooperation," one of the people said. The Maldives is one of India's key maritime neighbours in the Indian Ocean Region an

ADB, Maldives sign $41mn financing package to support SMEs, tourism

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) signed a $41 million financing package with the Bank of Maldives (BML) on Tuesday to support locally owned small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and tourism

Chennai's Renaatus gets $ 29 mn contract expand Maldives airport

Project funded by Exim Bank of India, involves constructing an air traffic control tower, fire station and upgrading terminal

India, Maldives hold fourth defence cooperation dialogue in Male

The dialogue was co-chaired by Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane and his Maldivian counterpart, Chief of Defence Force, Maldives National Defence Forces Major General Abdulla Shamaal

Sapphire Foods to increase stake in Maldives-based GFIPL from 51% up to 75%

Sapphire Foods India Ltd (SPIL) on Tuesday announced to increase its stake in GIFPL to 75 per cent from the current 51 per cent Gamma Island Food Private Ltd (GIFPL) operates Pizza Hut and KFC restaurants in Maldives under franchisee agreements. "The Board of Directors of Gamma Pizzakraft (Overseas) Pvt Ltd (GPOPL), wholly-owned subsidiary of SPIL, has considered and approved subscription of upto 81,914 Equity Shares of GIFPL, subsidiary of GPOPL and step-down subsidiary of the Company, for a total consideration of upto 1.88 crore Maldivian Rufiyaa (Rs 10.15 cr)," it said. SPIL further added, "Pursuant to this proposed acquisition, the equity shareholding of GPOPL in GIFPL will be increased from the existing 51% up to 75%." "The proposed acquisition is by way of subscription to the additional equity shares issued by GFIPL to GPOPL, in one or more tranches, pricing of which is based on a chartered accountant report," it said. SFIL is one of the largest franchisees of Yum! Brands In

Jaishankar, Maldives prez take part in groundbreaking of airport project

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Maldives President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih have jointly participated in groundbreaking ceremony of Hanimaadhoo international airport redevelopment project

S Jaishankar visits Maldives, to witness impact of developmental assistance

Jaishankar is on a three-day visit to the Maldives and Sri Lanka beginning to further expand bilateral engagement with the two key maritime neighbours of India

Nearly 1.5 million tourists visited Maldives this year: Ministry of Tourism

The Maldives received nearly 1.5 million tourists so far this year, with travellers from India topping the list, according to data from the country's Ministry of Tourism.

India hands $100 mn in assistance to Maldives to ease financial challenges

India on Tuesday handed over USD 100 million as assistance to the Maldives to ease the financial challenges faced by the strategically located archipelagic state in the Indian Ocean. A ceremony was held here at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs where Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid and Finance Minister Ibrahim Ameer were also present. "Our special partnership, marked by genuine concern for each other's welfare and interests, delivers every single time and particularly in time of need," tweeted External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, who joined the ceremony via a video link. "The Government of India handed over financial assistance of USD 100 million to the Government of Maldives to ease the financial challenges. India remains reliable and steadfast in extending assistance to the Maldives," the Foreign Ministry of the Maldives said in a tweet. Foreign Minister Shahid thanked India for the timely and generous financial assistance of USD 100 million. "It is truly the strength of our tie

Maldives, Australia deny participating in China-led Indian Ocean Forum meet

After Maldives, Australia on Sunday clarified that it did not participate in the "China-Indian Ocean Forum on Development Cooperation" held on November 21."Contrary to media reporting, no Australian Government official attended the Kunming China-Indian Ocean Forum on Development Cooperation," tweeted Australia's High Commissioner to India, Barry O'Farrell.China's aid agency hosted a meeting on Indian Ocean Forum. Maldives's former President Mohammed Waheed Hassan & Australia's Former PM Kevin Rudd joined virtually. No representation at official capacity by Male, Canberra."Pleased @TimWattsMP attended #IORA Ministerial Council last week, the only ministerial-level forum for the Indian Ocean. Australia was delighted India's application for Vice Chair was accepted by consensus. We share an enduring interest: a free, open, rules-based and secure Indo-Pacific," added the Australian envoy.While Canberra was invited for the meet by Beijing, Australia, a member of Quad (comprising ...

9 Indians among 10 killed, several injured in Maldives fire incident

Officials said 10 bodies were recovered from the upper floor of a building destroyed in the fire, which originated from a ground-floor vehicle repair garage, local media reported.

EXIM Bank extends $100- mn LoC to Maldives for development projects

Exim Bank on Monday said it has extended a line of credit of USD 100 million to the Maldives for financing developmental projects. Exim Bank's overall commitment to the strategically important island nation located in close proximity goes to six lines of credit totalling USD 1.43 billion, as per an official statement. Projects being funded through the LOCs include Greater Male' Connectivity Project, Water and Sewerage Projects, Addu Development Project, International Cricket Stadium Project, Defence projects, Gulhifalhu Port Project, Hanimaadhoo Airport Project, Gan Airport Project, Fisheries Project, Road Construction Project and Sports Infrastructure, it said. An agreement was signed in Male on Sunday by Maldives' Minister of Finance Ibrahim Ameer and Exim Bank's general manager Nirmit Ved. India's Foreign Secretary V M Kwatra and his Maldivian counterpart Ahmed Latheef were also present. With the signing of this LOC agreement, Exim Bank has now 311 lines of credit covering 67 ..

Only India helped Sri Lanka, Maldives during crisis: RSS Chief Bhagwat

It was only India which helped Sri Lanka and Maldives when these countries were in distress while other countries were interested in finding business opportunities, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat said here on Thursday. Spirituality is the "soul of India", he said, addressing a program organized by Bharat Vikas Manch, an organization associated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). "Spirituality is the soul of India. What does India need to do? It is to tell everyone how to live life on the basis of this spirituality through our own example," he said. "Living life without ego" was the soul of India, he added. Countries like China, United States and Pakistan turned their attention to Sri Lanka when they saw business opportunities there, he said. "But now when Sri Lanka is in trouble, who is extending help? It is only India. Who sent water to the Maldives when it was facing a water crisis? It was India which did. This is the spiritual India," he said. Talking about all-round ...

Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Maldives stand neck-deep in Chinese debt: Forbes

The world's low-income countries owe 37 per cent of their debt to China in 2022, compared to just 24 per cent in bilateral debts to the rest of the world

Maldives reaffirms commitment to One-China policy, to issue no statement

The Maldives government has reaffirmed its commitment to the One-China policy, but said that it would not issue any official statement on it

India, Maldives ink six agreements to broad-base ties in key areas

PM Modi asserted that New Delhi has been and will continue to be the "first responder" to any need or crisis facing the island nation