India is embarking on a half-billion-dollar project in the Maldives to help the small island state link up its capital, Male, to three adjacent islands as part of the country's efforts to ramp up development in a region that has been of great interest to China, the government announced on Thursday.
Dubbed the Greater Male Connectivity Project (GMCP), the investment is the biggest infrastructure project ever undertaken in the country. Maldives External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar also announced the establishment of a so-called "Air Bubble" in the region to enhance the flow of transport between the nearby islands, boost tourism and the government's healthcare system.
In a livestreamed meeting, Maldives Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid thanked India for the Air Bubble project and stressed the significance of enhancing travel, especially to the Maldives people who need to travel to India for their medical needs.
The project will also be beneficial to Indian tourists who want to see the beauty of Maldives, the minister said. Also part of the planned construction is a boat service aimed at improving bilateral trade, especially during the coronavirus pandemic.
New Delhi's funding assistance to Maldives is now more than $2 billion, including the $500 million package announced on Thursday, which also includes $100 million in grants and a $400 million credit deal.
The solid partnership between Maldives and India is viewed as a message to China, which has been focusing on the island nation recently in line with Beijing's Belt and Road Initiative.
A "reboot" in Maldives-India ties was initiated when Maldives President Mohamed Solih assumed office in 2018, sources said. As part of its 'Neighborhood First' policy, the Indian government has made serious efforts to strengthen its relations with Maldives.
Maldives and India have collaborated on a proactive approach in their joint venture based on the two nations' strong bond that' hinges on "mutual trust and shared interests," the foreign ministry said.
