Male, Maldives (CU)_ A total of seven Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were signed between India and the Maldives for projects to be implemented through local authorities under India’s financial support initiative for the High Impact Community Development Project (HICDP).
Abdulla Shahid, Foreign Minister of Maldives, announced the news in a tweet. He wrote, “We launched 7 new HICDP under Indian grant assistance promoting youth empowerment, health, sports and heritage preservation. The HICDP enhances socio-economic development of our local communities, strengthening the Maldives India Partnership’’.
Abdulla Shahid and Indian High Commissioner Munu Mahawar signed the memorandums of understanding. The total grants funded for the project amounts to 26.8 million Rufiyaa (about $1.7 million). According to ambassador Mahawar, “Development and cooperation is the central pillar of India-Maldives partnership and we remain committed to continue strengthening it’’.
The grant scheme includes the following projects. The establishment of a mental health facility at Addu Equatorial Hospital; a speech therapy facility at Kulhudhufushi Regional Hospital; a workshop for manufacturing prosthetics and orthotics at Hulhumale Hospital; the conservation of cultural sites in Noonu Landhoo Maabudhuge and Thaa Dhiyamigili Ganduvaru; the creation of a multi-sports complex in Noonu Manadhoo; and establishing youth centers in Gaafu Alif Gemanafushi and Alif Dhaalu Dhigurah.
The announcement to execute seven additional projects as part of this plan was made last month during External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar’s official visit to Addu City. In addition to the initiatives introduced today, this grant scheme is presently funding eighteen other projects.
In the meantime, the Indian Navy’s Chief of Naval Staff also met with Minister Shahid. Shahid expressed delight over the meeting. He tweeted, “Delighted to meet Admiral R Hari Kumar, India’s Naval Chief, today. We discussed the importance of strengthening cooperation between our countries to maintain security in the Indian Ocean Region on the robust defense ties between Maldives and India’’.
