'Thank India For Rs 3,000 Crore Support': Maldives President After Meeting PM Modi

Calling India a 'key partner', Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu said after meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, they agreed on a comprehensive vision document for the course of the bilateral relationship.

"A vision for comprehensive economic and maritime security partnership which encompasses development cooperation, trade and economic partnerships, digital and financial initiatives, energy projects, health cooperation as well as maritime and security cooperation," he said.

Acknowledging that India has stood by Maldives during our times of need, Muizzu thanked PM Modi, the Indian government and the people of India for their 'generous assistance and cooperation.

He also thanked the Indian government's decision to provide support in the form of Rs 3,000 crore in addition to $400 million under the bilateral currency swap agreement to help Maldives in foreign exchange issues.

"We look forward to concluding the Free Trade Agreement with India which will enable us to harness the full economic potential between our countries and to increase Indian investments in both our tourism and various sectors of development," Muizzu said.

This is Muizzu's first bilateral visit to India since he came to power riding on the 'India Out' campaign. Earlier, he came to India in June this year for PM Modi's oath ceremony.

Earlier this year, following his bilateral visit to China, Muizzu criticised India indirectly, describing it as a bully without explicitly naming New Delhi. "We might be a small country, but that does not give you the licence to bully us," he had said.