{"id":136238,"date":"2024-10-08T19:30:32","date_gmt":"2024-10-08T14:00:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/?post_type=current-affairs&#038;p=136238"},"modified":"2024-10-09T19:08:06","modified_gmt":"2024-10-09T13:38:06","slug":"india-maldives-bilateral-relations","status":"publish","type":"current-affairs","link":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/current-affairs\/india-maldives-bilateral-relations","title":{"rendered":"Maldives President India Visit: Strengthening India-Maldives Relations Amid Economic Challenges"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Recently, <\/span><b>Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu met<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in <\/span><b>New Delhi <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">to review and strengthen their historically close bilateral ties.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><strong><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\">Maldivian President Muizzu&#8217;s First India Visit Amid &#8216;India Out&#8217; Tension<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Maldivian President<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Mohamed Muizzu is currently on a significant <\/span><b>five-day state visit <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">to <\/span><b>India<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> from October 6 to 10, 2024. This visit marks his <\/span><b>first bilateral trip to India since taking office.<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The visit assumes significance, as <\/span><b>ties between the two countries took a hit<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> as Muizzu came to power on an<\/span><b> \u201cIndia Out campaign&#8221;.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"vc_button\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pw.live\/batches\/upsc?utm_source=seo+upsc+batch&#038;utm_medium=seo+upsc&#038;utm_campaign=seo&#038;utm_id=upsc\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Enroll now for UPSC Online Course<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"vc_table_green\"><\/p>\n<table style=\"width: 99.7979%;\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<th style=\"width: 100%; border-style: solid; border-color: #000000; background-color: rgba(184, 165, 217, 0.53); text-align: left; vertical-align: middle;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><b>Recent Economic Challenges for Maldives:<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><b>Debt Default Crisis: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Maldives is facing a <\/span><b>potential debt default,<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> with its f<\/span><b>oreign exchange reserves down to $440 million<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, sufficient for only 1.5 months of imports.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><b>Downgraded Credit Ratings:<\/b> <b>Moody&#8217;s<\/b> <b>downgraded the Maldives&#8217; credit rating, <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">citing increased default risks as foreign reserves remain well below the <\/span><b>government&#8217;s external debt payments of $600 million in 2025 and over $1 billion in 2026.<\/b><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p><\/div>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><b>Key Highlights of the Meet<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Agreement:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> The <\/span><b>Reserve Bank of India<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and the <\/span><b>Maldives Monetary Authority<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> have signed a <\/span><b>$400 million swap arrangement <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">and an<\/span><b> additional \u20b93,000 crore ($357 million)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> under the <\/span><b>SAARC Currency Swap Framework<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, valid <\/span><b>until 2027.\u00a0<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This agreement<\/span><b> allows payments<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> between the <\/span><b>two countries<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in <\/span><b>different currencies.<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The currency swap agreement is aimed\u00a0 to <\/span><b>help Maldives tide over its current foreign currency crunch.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"vc_table_green\">\n<table style=\"width: 99.8983%;\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<th style=\"width: 100%; border-style: solid; border-color: #000000; background-color: rgba(184, 165, 217, 0.53); text-align: left; vertical-align: middle;\">\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><b>SAARC Currency Swap Framework<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, established on<\/span><b> November 15, 2012<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, aims to support <\/span><b>SAARC member countries<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> facing <\/span><b>short-term foreign exchange liquidity needs or balance of payments issues.\u00a0<\/b><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It enables member countries to access funding through <\/span><b>swap drawals in US dollars, euros, or Indian rupees.<\/b><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p><\/div><br \/>\n<b><\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Comprehensive Economic and Maritime Security Partnership<\/b><b>: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">India and Maldives agreed to transform the bilateral relationship to a <\/span><b>\u201cComprehensive Economic and Maritime Security Partnership.<\/b><\/li>\n<li><b>Initiation of Free Trade Agreements Negotiations: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The two countries have agreed to initiate negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA).<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Rollover of T-bills: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0India has extended crucial financial support to the Maldives by<\/span><b> rolling over a $50 million Treasury Bill for another year.<\/b><\/li>\n<li><b>Launch of RuPay Card in the Maldives: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">By introducing the RuPay card, <\/span><b>India aims to facilitate financial transactions for Indian tourists,<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> supporting the <\/span><b>recovery of Maldives&#8217; tourism sector.<\/b><\/li>\n<li><b>Handover of Houses: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">India handed<\/span><b> over 700 houses<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> built with its assistance.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Pacts Signed: Signed pacts including <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">training of <\/span><b>judicial officers, prevention of corruption, law enforcement training, sports and youth affairs.<\/b><\/li>\n<li><b>Airport Runway<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: The jointly constructed runway at <\/span><b>Hanimadhoo Island <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">for international air traffic <\/span><b>was inaugurated.<\/b><\/li>\n<li><b>Coast Guard Support<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:\u00a0 Hoping to <\/span><b>revive defence and security cooperation<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, India decided to <\/span><b>refit and repair a Maldivian Coast Guard vessel <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">that it had gifted some years ago.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Requests from Maldives<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: For <\/span><b>debt repayment waivers<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><b>additional credit lines.<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Maldives President expressed hope for the<\/span><b> return of Indian tourists<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, whose numbers have<\/span><b> halved<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> following a <\/span><b>social media boycott campaign in India.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"vc_button\"><a href=\"https:\/\/store.pw.live\/govt-entrance-exams\/upsc-books?utm_source=SEO&#038;utm_medium=PW+Live&#038;utm_campaign=UPSC+CSE+Books\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Check Out UPSC CSE Books From PW Store<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"vc_table_green\"><\/p>\n<table style=\"width: 99.8982%;\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 100%;\"><b>Maldives Overview:<\/b><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-136239 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/81-6705329b8bcfb.webp\" alt=\"India - Maldives Bilateral Relations\" width=\"300\" height=\"273\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/81-6705329b8bcfb.webp 643w, https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/81-6705329b8bcfb-300x273.webp 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Location: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Maldives is located <\/span><b>south of India<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in the<\/span><b> Indian Ocean.<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is the <\/span><b>smallest country in Asia.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><b>Capital: Mal\u00e9\u00a0<\/b><\/li>\n<li><b>Channel Separating India and Maldives: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><b>Eight Degree Channel <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">separates India&#8217;s <\/span><b>Minicoy Island<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, part of the Lakshadweep Islands, from the <\/span><b>Maldives.<\/b><\/li>\n<li><b>Part of:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> The Maldives is a member of the <\/span><b>United Nations<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, the <\/span><b>Commonwealth of Nations<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, the <\/span><b>Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.\u00a0<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is a <\/span><b>Dialogue Partner<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of the <\/span><b>Shanghai Cooperation Organisation.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p><\/div>\n<h3><span style=\"font-size: 16pt;\"><b>Importance of Maldives for India<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Strategic Location: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Situated in the Indian Ocean, Maldives is positioned along crucial Sea Lanes of Communication (SLOCs) that facilitate maritime trade between the<\/span><b> Gulf of Aden, Gulf of Hormuz, and the Strait of Malacca.<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Approximately <\/span><b>50% of India\u2019s external trade and 80% of its energy imports pass through these SLOCs in the Arabian Sea.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Regional Stability: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Maldives is recognized as vital for peace and stability in the Indian Ocean, with India as an<\/span><b> important partner in maritime security.\u00a0<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Shared Challenges:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Both countries acknowledge shared challenges such as <\/span><b>terrorism, drug trafficking, and piracy<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, fostering a collaborative strategic landscape.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>SAGAR and Neighbourhood FIrst Policy:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> It is an important component\u00a0 in India\u2019s vision for <\/span><b>Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><b>Neighbourhood First <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">policy.<\/span><b>\u00a0<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A politically and economically <\/span><b>stable Maldives aligns with India&#8217;s &#8220;Neighbourhood First&#8221;<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> policy.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Member of Groupings: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Maldives is a member of the <\/span><b>South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and the <\/span><b>South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation (SASEC).<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span style=\"font-size: 16pt;\"><b>Importance of India for Maldives<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>First Responder of Maldives: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">India has consistently been the <\/span><b>first responder in times of crisis<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for the Maldives.\u00a0<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><b>Example:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> India was the <\/span><b>first to assist Maldives <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">during the <\/span><b>2004 Tsunami <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">as well as the <\/span><b>water crisis in Mal\u00e9 in Dec 2014.<\/b><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">India\u2019s swift dispatch of <\/span><b>30,000 doses of measles vaccine<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in Jan<\/span><b> 2020<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to prevent an outbreak in the Maldives.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">During<\/span><b> Covid-19<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><b>Maldives was the first foreign recipient of a vaccine from India<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to fight the pandemic.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Net Security provider<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: In <\/span><b>1988<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, under<\/span><b> Operation Cactus<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> the <\/span><b>Indian Armed Forces<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> helped the <\/span><b>Government of Maldives<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in the <\/span><b>neutralisation of the coup<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> attempt.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Development Efforts:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> India has been providing <\/span><b>LIne of Credit (LOC)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to Maldives for various developmental projects like <\/span><b>Addu Development Project (Roads and Land Reclamation), Gulhifalhu Port project, Hulhumal\u00e9 Cricket Stadium, Greater Male Connectivity Project<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> etc.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Trade Relations: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">India emerged as <\/span><b>Maldives\u2019 2nd largest trade partner in 2022 &#038; the largest in 2023.\u00a0<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Tourism Revenue:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> In 2023,<\/span><b> Indians constituted the largest group of tourists visiting the Maldives<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, with over 200,000 travellers making the journey.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Indian Diaspora: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Indians are the <\/span><b>second largest expatriate community in Maldives.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"vc_button\"><a href=\"https:\/\/store.pw.live\/govt-entrance-exams\/upsc-books\/upsc-textbooks?utm_source=SEO&#038;utm_medium=PW+Live&#038;utm_campaign=UPSC+Textbooks\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Check Out UPSC NCERT Textbooks From PW Store<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-size: 16pt;\"><b>Challenges in India-Maldives Bilateral Relations<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Shift in Alliances:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Changes in government in the Maldives can lead to shifts in foreign policy and priorities, impacting the consistency of bilateral relations. For example, the r<\/span><b>ecently elected President Mohamed Muizzu, who is believed to have a Pro China Stance.<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Perception of Indian Influence<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: In the Maldives, there is an increasing belief that India&#8217;s <\/span><b>influence in local affairs is excessive<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, leading to <\/span><b>heightened anti-Indian sentiments among some groups.<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Example: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><b>&#8220;India Out&#8221; campaign <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">in Maldives politics has branded I<\/span><b>ndian presence as a threat to the country&#8217;s sovereignty in recent years.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><b>China\u2019s Influence<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: China&#8217;s growing influence in the Maldives through investments and infrastructure projects poses a challenge for India. Example: <\/span><b>Maldives became a participant in China&#8217;s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><b>India&#8217;s &#8220;Neighborhood First&#8221; <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">policy aims to counterbalance China&#8217;s increasing presence.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><b>Security Concerns<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: The Maldives is susceptible to threats like <\/span><b>terrorism and piracy, <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">necessitating robust security cooperation.\u00a0<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, differing approaches to security, particularly regarding foreign military presence, can lead to friction.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Infrastructure Project Delays<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Delays in the completion of Indian-backed infrastructure projects, such as the <\/span><b>Greater Mal\u00e9 Connectivity Project<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, can lead to frustration within the Maldivian government and public, straining relations further.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Tourism Challenges: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The tourism sector in the Maldives has been strained by a diplomatic dispute following <\/span><b>derogatory comments<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> aimed at the <\/span><b>Indian Prime Minister<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> during his <\/span><b>visit to the Lakshadweep Islands<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, resulting in a <\/span><b>social media trend to boycott the Maldives.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span style=\"font-size: 16pt;\"><b>Way Forward For Improving India and Maldives Relations<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Promoting Economic Collaboration: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">India should emphasise a <\/span><b>development-oriented approach <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">with Maldives by prioritising infrastructure projects and enhancing economic cooperation. <\/span><b>Example:<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><b>India&#8217;s High Impact Community Development Project (HICDP) <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">should focus on creating employment opportunities for the youth.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Fast-tracking of the Greater Mal\u00e9 Connectivity Project, <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Collaborate to develop a state-of-the-art <\/span><b>commercial port<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> at <\/span><b>Thilafushi<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to <\/span><b>decongest Mal\u00e9 port.\u00a0<\/b><\/li>\n<li><b>Maldives <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">should remain <\/span><b>aware<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of<\/span><b> China&#8217;s &#8220;debt trap&#8221; policy,<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> as seen in Sri Lanka, and work proactively to avoid similar pitfalls in its foreign relations.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Strengthening Defence Cooperation: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Enhance joint military exercises such as \u201c<\/span><b>Ekuverin\u201d, \u201cDosti\u201d and \u201cOperation Shield.<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The ongoing <\/span><b>&#8220;Ekatha&#8221;<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> harbour project at<\/span><b> Uthuru Thila Falhu (UTF),<\/b> <b>supported by India,<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> will significantly enhance the operational capabilities of the <\/span><b>Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF).\u00a0<\/b><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Strengthening of the<\/span><b> Trilateral Maritime Security Cooperation <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">between<\/span><b> India, the Maldives and Sri Lanka\u00a0<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Enhancing Health Cooperation: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Work towards the <\/span><b>recognition of the Indian pharmacopoeia by the Maldivian government<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and establish I<\/span><b>ndia-Maldives Jan Aushadhi Kendras <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">to supply affordable, quality generic medicines.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Trade Cooperation:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Both countries should initiate discussions on a <\/span><b>Bilateral Free Trade Agreement<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> focusing on trade in goods and services.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"vc_table_green\"><\/p>\n<table style=\"width: 99.8996%;\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<th style=\"width: 100%; border-style: solid; border-color: #000000; background-color: rgba(184, 165, 217, 0.53); text-align: left; vertical-align: middle;\">\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><b>Columbo Security Conclave: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is a<\/span><b> regional security grouping<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> comprising <\/span><b>India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Maldives, and Mauritius.\u00a0<\/b><\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><b>Seychelles <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">is an <\/span><b>observer nation.<\/b><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><b>Permanent secretariat:<\/b> <b>Colombo<\/b><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">CSC brings together National Security Advisors (NSAs) and Deputy NSAs of the member countries.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p><\/div>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Operationalize the <\/span><b>settlement of trade transaction<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">s between India and Maldives in <\/span><b>local currencies<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> with an aim to<\/span><b> deepen trade linkages <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">and to<\/span><b> reduce dependency on foreign currencies.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Regional Cooperation: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Actively engage in <\/span><b>South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">and <\/span><b>Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> meetings to address regional issues such as <\/span><b>piracy, IUU (illegal, unreported and unregulated) fishing, drug smuggling and terrorism<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> etc<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Reaffirming Colombo Security Conclave:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Strengthening the recently signed <\/span><b>Colombo Security Conclave<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> will enhance<\/span><b> collective efforts in maritime security, foster regional cooperation.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"vc_button\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pw.live\/batches\/upsc\/pw-only-ias?utm_source=seo+upsc+batch&#038;utm_medium=seo+upsc&#038;utm_campaign=seo&#038;utm_id=upsc\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Enroll now for UPSC Online Classes<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><b>Conclusion<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The recent visit marks a crucial moment in India-Maldives relations, with both leaders focused on infrastructure and economic recovery. 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