India and Maldives concluded the two-week Exercise EKUVERIN in Thiruvananthapuram, focusing on counter-insurgency and counter-terror operations, with both forces validating training objectives and reaffirming their commitment to military cooperation and regional security.
Muizzu said, "I am also pleased to announce the initiation of negotiations for a free trade agreement between India and Maldives. This landmark initiative marks a significant step forward in strengthening our economic partnership."
According to a release, in line with this initiative, the State Trading Organization Plc (STO) - a Government of Maldives enterprise responsible for the import and distribution of essential goods - has signed a strategic agreement with HLL under India's Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pa
India and Maldives decided to collaborate in the development of a state-of-the-art commercial port at Thilafushi island to de-congest the Male port and provide enhanced cargo handling capacity at Thilafushi.
India and Maldives have started discussions for a free trade agreement, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu mentioned in their press address after the bilateral and delegation-level talks here in New Delhi.
India and Maldives have renewed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to provide capacity-building training to 1,000 Maldivian civil servants between 2024 and 2029, as announced during External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar's visit to Male from August 9-11.
Amid the ongoing diplomatic tensions, India and Maldives held their fourth High-Level Core Group meeting on Friday and discussed issues related to bilateral cooperation, including defence cooperation and efforts to enhance bilateral trade and investment.
India and Maldives held their fourth bilateral review meeting on Monday regarding Indian Line of Credit (LoC) projects, co-chaired by High Commissioner of India to Maldives, Amb Munu Mahawar and attended by officials from relevant ministries and agencies.
Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu on Monday said that India and Maldives have agreed to send back the first group of Indian troops deployed in Maldives before March 10 this year.