India and the Maldives on Friday signed eight major agreements aimed at deepening cooperation across key sectors such as finance, digital infrastructure, fisheries, and debt management. The exchange of agreements took place in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu in Malé.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar confirmed the development, stating on X, “Delighted to exchange eight Agreements related to Line of Credit, debt repayment, FTA, fisheries & aquaculture, digital transformation, pharmacopoeia and UPI.”
The Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) reflect growing bilateral collaboration under the framework of the India-Maldives Joint Vision for a Comprehensive Economic and Maritime Security Partnership. The agreements include a new Line of Credit worth ₹4,850 crore (approx. USD 550 million), an Amendatory Agreement reducing Maldives’ annual debt repayment by 40%, and key pacts in digital public infrastructure and the adoption of India’s UPI payment system.
Prime Minister Modi, on a two-day visit to the island nation, was received with ceremonial honours and held high-level talks with President Muizzu at the President’s Office. Both leaders reaffirmed the longstanding friendship between the two nations, with President Muizzu acknowledging India’s crucial role as the Maldives’ “First Responder” in times of crisis.
The leaders discussed enhanced cooperation in climate action, healthcare, development partnership, and capacity building. They reviewed economic ties and emphasized expediting the proposed Free Trade Agreement and Bilateral Investment Treaty to unlock new avenues for trade and investment.
PM Modi stressed the need to leverage the digital economy for tourism and commerce, citing recent agreements on UPI and RuPay card integration as transformative steps. Both sides also reiterated commitment to joint action on global issues like renewable energy, disaster risk reduction, and weather science as partners from the Global South.
As part of the development partnership, the leaders virtually inaugurated a roads and drainage project in Addu City, six high-impact community projects across the Maldives, and handed over 3,300 social housing units and 72 official vehicles. Additionally, India gifted two Aarogya Maitri Health Cubes (BHISHM)—mobile emergency medical systems capable of treating 200 casualties.
In a symbolic gesture of environmental cooperation, the two leaders planted mango saplings under India’s “Ek Pedh Maa Ke Naam” and Maldives’s “Pledge of 5 Million Tree Plantation” campaigns.
The visit, coinciding with the 60th anniversary of both Maldives’ independence and India-Maldives diplomatic ties, was marked by warmth and mutual commitment to regional peace, prosperity, and maritime security in the Indian Ocean.
PM Modi thanked the Maldivian government for their hospitality and reiterated India’s steadfast support for the aspirations and development of the Maldivian people.
