Ties with Maldives poised to take quantum jump, says EAM

New Delhi, February 20

India’s time-tested relationship with the Maldives is poised to take a quantum jump, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said following talks with his Maldivian counterpart Abdulla Shahid and handing over one lakh additional doses of Covid vaccine.

Jaishankar arrived here on the first leg of his two-nation tour, both of which are strategically situated in the Indian Ocean. India is currently executing the Greater Male Connectivity Project, the largest civilian infrastructure project connecting Malé with three islands by a 7.7-km bridge-and-causeway link, which will boost economic activity and generate employment.

Once implemented, the GMCP will render the Chinese projects insignificant in comparison and help demonstrate India’s overarching presence through a high-visibility project. — TNS