Global News Post: Maldives

Indian PM Meets Maldives President

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</div><div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt;">The President of Maldives, Dr. Mohamed Waheed meeting the<o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt;">Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, in New Delhi on<o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt;">May 12, 2012.</span> Photo © PIB<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div></td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: kashida; text-kashida: 0%;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">NEW DELHI, India (NNN-XINHUA) -- Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh met Maldivan President Mohammed Waheed Saturday here, sources said.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">''President Waheed came to India on an invitation from Singh and both the leaders discussed the situation in Maldives as well as early polls in the Indian Ocean island nation,'' the sources said.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">President Waheed is to meet Indian President Pratibha Patil later in the evening.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">Waheed's visit came barely three weeks after his predecessor Mohammed Nasheed visited India to garner support for his call for early presidential polls.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">Maldives plunged into political turmoil after President Nasheed resigned in February and claimed he was ousted in a coup orchestrated by his successor and then vice president Waheed in collaboration with the military.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">India has urged the current Maldivan regime to conduct early presidential polls to end the political turmoil. -- NNN-XINHUA</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div></div>

Indian PM Meets Maldives President

The President of Maldives, Dr. Mohamed Waheed meeting the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, in New Delhi on May 12, 2012. Photo © PIB ...

India Asks Political Parties in Maldives to Exercise Restraint

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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="direction: ltr; text-align: center; unicode-bidi: embed;"></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Attired in yellow shirt, Mohamed Nasheed (centre), who resigned from his post as Maldivian President Feb. 7, 2012, marches along with his supporters during a rally in Male, Maldives. The small Indian Ocean nation made up of 1,200 scattered islands, has been rolling in political turmoil for months. Nasheed, the nation's first democratically elected president, said he had been forced to resign in what he termed a coup. With a criminal court issuing an arrest warrant for him, the new government of President Mohammed Waheed Hassan insists there was no coup, and Nasheed was under no restriction to leave the country.Photo courtesy agencies. ---NNN<o:p></o:p></span></div><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">NEW DELHI (NNN-Bernama) -- India on Friday asked all Maldivian political parties to exercise restraint and to continue discussions to find a peaceful and viable solution as agreed under the roadmap, Press Trust of India (PTI) reported. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Asked about the developments in Maldives that witnessed fresh violence Thursday,, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin "urged all parties to maintain calm and to exercise restraint". <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The Maldivian parliament witnessed unruly scenes on Thursday as lawmakers belonging to former President Mohammed Nasheed's MDP prevented President Mohamed Waheed from delivering the customary opening address and blocked Speaker <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Abdulla Shahid from entering the chamber. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">There was also violence outside the Majlis as MDP supporters clashed with the police. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The MEA spokesperson "encouraged them to exercise their responsibilities to the Maldivian people and to continue necessary discussions under the All Party Consultative Committee and the People's Majlis (parliament) to find a peaceful and viable solution as agreed under the Roadmap." <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Akbaruddin reiterated India's position that this was an internal matter of the Maldives, to be resolved by Maldivians in a peaceful and democratic manner. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">India, he said, "stood ready to assist the government and people of Maldives in any manner necessary". <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Thursday's protests came a day after Foreign Secretary Ranjan Mathai ended his two-day visit during which he held talks with various stakeholders to hammer out a solution to the political crisis here. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">India had helped broker a deal under which President Waheed agreed to a roadmap for elections ahead of the scheduled November 2013 date. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">No dates have been announced for elections in the island nation, where Nasheed was voted to power 2008 as their first democratically elected president ending over 30 years of reign of Maumoon Abdul Gayoom.--NNN-BERNAMA</span><span dir="RTL" lang="AR-SA" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-font-family: "Trebuchet MS";"><o:p></o:p></span></div></div>

India Asks Political Parties in Maldives to Exercise Restraint

Attired in yellow shirt, Mohamed Nasheed (centre), who resigned from his post as Maldivian President Feb. 7, 2012, marches along with ...

Indian PM Manmohan Singh Becomes First Foreign Leader to Address Maldives Parliament

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</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 12.0pt;">MALE (NNN-Bernama) -- Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was Saturday accorded the unique honour of being the first foreign dignitary to address the multi-party 'People's Majlis' (Maldives' Parliament), after it came into being in 2009, Press Trust of India (PTI) reported. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Majlis Speaker Abdullah Shahid has welcomed him, saying that <st1:country-region w:st="on">Maldives</st1:country-region> has lot to learn from <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">India</st1:place></st1:country-region>, a leading economic giant and the largest democracy in the world. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Manmohan, in his speech, said his first visit to <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Maldives</st1:place></st1:country-region> was an unforgettable journey and the memories to the breathtaking beauty and serenity nation will be cherished always. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 12.0pt;">All the 75 Member of Parliaments of the Parliament also heard the Prime Minister praising the picturesque island nation, and acknowledged the honour given to him. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 12.0pt;">"I am truly honoured by this gesture accorded to me and my country," PTI quoted him as saying. His wife Gursharan Kaur and Maldivian President Mohammed Nasheed's wife Laila Ali Abdullah were present at the Majlis during the address. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 12.0pt;">In the speech, Manmohan said extremism and religious fundamentalism are among the common challenges <st1:country-region w:st="on">India</st1:country-region> and <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Maldives</st1:place></st1:country-region> are faced with as the two countries agreed to adopt a multi-pronged approach to deal with these problems. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><st1:country-region w:st="on"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 12.0pt;">India</span></st1:country-region><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 12.0pt;">'s security, like that of the host country, was closely linked to what happens in the <st1:place w:st="on">Indian  Ocean</st1:place>. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 12.0pt;">"The challenges we face are well known -- extremism and religious fundamentalism, piracy, smuggling and drug trafficking to name a few," he said. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 12.0pt;">"Our two countries have agreed upon a multi-pronged approach to deal with these problems. To build capacity within <st1:country-region w:st="on">Maldives</st1:country-region>, <st1:country-region w:st="on">India</st1:country-region> will support the construction of a <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">National</st1:placename>  <st1:placename w:st="on">Police</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Academy</st1:placetype></st1:place>," he said. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><st1:country-region w:st="on"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 12.0pt;">India</span></st1:country-region><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> and <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Maldives</st1:place></st1:country-region> have signed agreements on combating terrorism, drug trafficking, disaster management and coastal security and transfer of sentenced persons. These will strengthen the framework of cooperation on law enforcement <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 12.0pt;">and consular matters. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Appreciating the impressive strides made by <st1:country-region w:st="on">Maldives</st1:country-region> ever since its independence in 1965, Singh said as an abiding friend, <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">India</st1:place></st1:country-region> would always stand by the country in these efforts. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 12.0pt;">"Our relations are time-tested and I wish to reaffirm that they shall remain so in the future," he said. --NNN-BERNAMA<o:p></o:p></span></div></div>

Indian PM Manmohan Singh Becomes First Foreign Leader to Address Maldives Parliament

MALE (NNN-Bernama) -- Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was Saturday accorded the unique honour of being the first foreign dignitary to...

Indian Prime Minister addresses People’s Majlis, at Male

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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh addressing at the People’s Majlis, </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">at Male, in Maldives on November 12, 2011. Photo: PIB</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 16px;">“I wish to thank you, Mr. Speaker, and Members of the People's Majlis for giving me this unique honour of addressing this august House. I am humbled by this gesture of goodwill accorded to me, and to my country.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 12pt;">I bring to you the warm greetings and good wishes of the people of <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">India</st1:place></st1:country-region>. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 12pt;">I congratulate the people of <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Maldives</st1:place></st1:country-region> on their Republic Day yesterday, and convey my belated greetings to each one of you on the auspicious occasion of Eid-ul-Azha. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 12pt;">This is my first visit to <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Maldives</st1:place></st1:country-region> as the Prime Minister of India. I am overwhelmed by the breathtaking beauty and serenity of this nation of islands. You are a truly blessed people to be living </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 12pt;">in such harmony with Mother Nature. The tranquillity of your physical environs is matched only by your tolerance and devotion to the noble religion of Islam. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 12pt;">I am delighted to be here today in this pearl of the <st1:place w:st="on">Indian Ocean</st1:place>. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 12pt;">Yesterday at <st1:placename w:st="on">Addu</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">City</st1:placetype>, the leaders of <st1:place w:st="on">South  Asia</st1:place> concluded the first ever SAARC Summit in the Southern hemisphere. I wish to heartily congratulate His Excellency President Nasheed, the Government and people of <st1:country-region w:st="on">Maldives</st1:country-region> for the outstanding manner in which the <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Summit</st1:place></st1:city> was organised. The <st1:city w:st="on">Summit</st1:city> has helped to further consolidate the process of regional integration in South Asia, a goal which unites both <st1:country-region w:st="on">India</st1:country-region> and <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Maldives</st1:place></st1:country-region>. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 12pt;">The Peoples Majlis is a living testimony to the strong faith the people of <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Maldives</st1:place></st1:country-region> have shown in democracy. As a fellow democracy we take delight in your achievements.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 12pt;">In 2008, you adopted a new Constitution and then held Presidential elections in a free and fair manner. The foundations of democracy were further reinforced with the first multi-party Parliamentary elections in 2009 and subsequent elections for the City, Atoll and Island Councils.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 12pt;">You have undertaken the reforms necessary for the independent functioning of the judiciary and other vital organs of the State. The People's Majlis has upheld the freedom of speech and expression of the people and the media which are the pillars of democracy.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 12pt;">India</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 12pt;"> will be at your side in your transition to a fully functioning democracy. We will assist the Majlis by way of training, formulation of rules and regulations and any other assistance that you may desire. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 12pt;">The Speaker of the Lok Sabha is scheduled to visit <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Maldives</st1:place></st1:country-region> at the invitation of the Hon’ble Speaker of the Majlis. The formation of India-Maldives Parliamentary Friendship Groups in the People's Majlis and in the Indian Parliament augur well for the development of relations between our two Parliaments. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 12pt;">These are links which are natural between two close neighbours. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 12pt;">Well-known Maldivian historian and scholar, Naseema Mohamed, has recorded that, according to legend, the first people who settled in <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Maldives</st1:place></st1:country-region> were a race called Dheyvis from Kalibangan on the banks of river Saraswati during the Indus Civilization.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 12pt;">Today, students from all across <st1:country-region w:st="on">Maldives</st1:country-region> live and study in Thiruvananthapuram, Bengaluru and <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Mysore</st1:place></st1:city>. They constitute the largest expatriate Maldivian community abroad. The recent establishment of an Indian Cultural Centre in Malé will further promote people-to-people contacts and facilitate the visits of Maldivian artists and scholars to <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">India</st1:place></st1:country-region>. We will be happy to facilitate more intensive exchanges between the <st1:placename w:st="on">Maldives</st1:placename> <st1:placename w:st="on">National</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">University</st1:placetype> and universities in <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">India</st1:place></st1:country-region>. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 12pt;">Earlier today I have discussed these and other bilateral initiatives with President Mohamed Nasheed. We have succeeded in defining new frontiers for our cooperation: cooperation that will have a tangible effect on the lives of common citizens of both our countries.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 12pt;">The President and I have signed a historic Framework Agreement on Cooperation for Development. This is a blueprint for cooperation in areas such as trade and investment, food security, fisheries development, tourism, transportation, information technology, new and renewable energy, communications and enhancing connectivity by air and sea. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 12pt;">I informed the President of our decision to extend a Standby Credit Facility of 100 million US dollars. This will help <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Maldives</st1:place></st1:country-region> to meet its short term budgetary needs and enable it to import essential commodities. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 12pt;">We have extended a Line of Credit of 40 million US dollars for the construction of new houses. We look forward to the first houses coming up in the not too distant future. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 12pt;">Maldives</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 12pt;"> has made impressive gains in education and in promoting the gender equality. Your social indicators are among the best in the region. We will collaborate with you to build upon these notable successes.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 12pt;">We are ready to work with the Government of Maldives to train youth in identified areas of skills development.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 12pt;">The <st1:placename w:st="on">Indira</st1:placename> <st1:placename w:st="on">Gandhi</st1:placename> <st1:placename w:st="on">Memorial</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Hospital</st1:placetype> in Male has served as the main referral hospital for <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Maldives</st1:place></st1:country-region>. We will undertake a major renovation of the Hospital as part of our aid programme. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 12pt;">The tourism and hospitality sectors are the largest revenue earners in <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Maldives</st1:place></st1:country-region>. Indian companies are engaged in various infrastructure projects in <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Maldives</st1:place></st1:country-region> which will further enhance your earning potential. We have decided to forge closer economic links through banking and financial institutions. We wish to cooperate in the modernisation of your fishing and food processing industry.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 12pt;">No enterprise between our two countries can be complete without planning for greater connectivity between us. Our officials are engaged in talks to work on a passenger cum cargo ferry service between <st1:state w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Cochin</st1:place></st1:state> and Male, and to look at the possibility of developing a port north of Male. We have encouraged our airlines to increase direct air links between destinations in <st1:country-region w:st="on">India</st1:country-region> and <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Maldives</st1:place></st1:country-region>. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 12pt;">I am aware of the threat which <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Maldives</st1:place></st1:country-region> faces from rising sea levels. We understand your concerns because millions of Indians themselves live in vulnerable coastal areas of our peninsula. I wish to state in no uncertain terms that <st1:country-region w:st="on">India</st1:country-region> will stand as one with <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Maldives</st1:place></st1:country-region> in combating global warming. <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Maldives</st1:place></st1:country-region>’ views must be heard with respect in global councils.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 12pt;">We will help <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Maldives</st1:place></st1:country-region> to achieve its aim of becoming carbon neutral. We will help build your capacities through sharing of energy efficiency technologies and provide scholarships for students from <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Maldives</st1:place></st1:country-region> in areas such as coastal zone adaptation and management.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 12pt;">We in <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">India</st1:place></st1:country-region> have made a number of commitments on climate change. One is to keep our per capita emission of greenhouse gases below the average for the industrialised countries. Secondly, we have committed to reduce the emissions intensity of our Gross Domestic Product by 20% between 2005 and 2020. We have launched eight national missions under our National Action Plan on Climate Change. The Green India plan seeks to regenerate six million hectares of degraded forest land. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 12pt;">India</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 12pt;"> will be a constructive participant in the global climate change negotiations based on the principles of common but differentiated responsibility.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 12pt;">As I stand here I am conscious of the vastness of the ocean that surrounds us. This is our extended neighbourhood. We wish to work with the <st1:country-region w:st="on">Maldives</st1:country-region> and other like minded countries to ensure peace and prosperity in the <st1:place w:st="on">Indian Ocean</st1:place> region. In many ways, <st1:country-region w:st="on">India</st1:country-region> and <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Maldives</st1:place></st1:country-region> are natural partners in this enterprise.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 12pt;">The <st1:place w:st="on">Indian Ocean</st1:place> is rich in resources. It provides sustenance and livelihood to many island states. Over 97 percent of <st1:country-region w:st="on">India</st1:country-region>’s international trade by volume and 75 percent by value passes through the <st1:place w:st="on">Indian Ocean</st1:place>. All the littoral states have a common interest in ensuring the safety and security of the sea lanes of communication.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 12pt;">Through the ages, seafarers, traders and merchants from <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">India</st1:place></st1:country-region> have ventured across the seas. Today vibrant Indian communities have settled in places such as <st1:country-region w:st="on">Mauritius</st1:country-region>, <st1:country-region w:st="on">Seychelles</st1:country-region>, the East Coast of Africa, the Gulf and <st1:place w:st="on">East Asia</st1:place>. This movement of people has been accompanied by the exchange of cultural influences from which we have all benefited. We should build upon these and other commonalities and reinvigorate the Indian Ocean Rim Association for Regional Cooperation.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><st1:country-region w:st="on"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 12pt;">India</span></st1:country-region><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 12pt;">’s security, like that of <st1:country-region w:st="on">Maldives</st1:country-region>, is closely linked to what happens in the <st1:place w:st="on">Indian Ocean</st1:place>. The challenges we face are well known - extremism and religious fundamentalism, piracy, smuggling and drug trafficking to name a few. <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Maldives</st1:place></st1:country-region> is additionally concerned about poaching in the coral reefs and illegal commercial fishing by foreign trawlers. We have together experienced the devastation caused by the tsunami in 2004.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 12pt;">Our two countries have agreed upon a multi-pronged approach to deal with these problems. To build capacity within <st1:country-region w:st="on">Maldives</st1:country-region>, <st1:country-region w:st="on">India</st1:country-region> will support the construction of a <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">National</st1:placename>  <st1:placename w:st="on">Police</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Academy</st1:placetype></st1:place>.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 12pt;">Bilaterally, we have entered into arrangements on Combating Terrorism, Drug Trafficking, Disaster Management and Coastal Security and Transfer of Sentenced Persons. These will strengthen the framework of cooperation on law enforcement and consular matters. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 12pt;">At a regional level, we should enhance our cooperation to increase maritime domain awareness and surveillance. We should have better exchange of information, more training programmes and work towards a cooperative security framework in the <st1:place w:st="on">Indian Ocean</st1:place> region. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 12pt;">Ever since your independence in 1965, you have taken impressive strides in nation building. Today <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Maldives</st1:place></st1:country-region> has earned the respect of the world for its achievements in the socio-economic sphere and for its leadership on issues such as climate change and protection of the environment. You have chosen the path of democracy, freedom and respect for human rights.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 12pt;">You have shown how even a small nation can stand up and be counted in the affairs of the world.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 12pt;">I am confident that the people of <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Maldives</st1:place></st1:country-region> will continue to consolidate their achievements. As an abiding friend, <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">India</st1:place></st1:country-region> will always stand by you in these efforts. Our relations are time-tested and I wish to reaffirm that they shall remain so in the future. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 12pt;">I once again convey my sincere gratitude to the Hon'ble Speaker and to each one of you for granting me the honour of addressing you. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 12pt;">I thank President Mohamed Nasheed for his personal friendship and the people of <st1:country-region w:st="on">Maldives</st1:country-region> for the warm hospitality extended to me and to the members of my delegation in <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Maldives</st1:place></st1:country-region>. This has been an unforgettable journey for me which I shall always cherish.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 12pt;">On behalf of the people of <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">India</st1:place></st1:country-region> and on behalf of our Parliament I wish you all success in your noble efforts to build a prosperous, dynamic and safe country. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 12pt;">Long live India-Maldives friendship.”---PIB<o:p></o:p></span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
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Indian Prime Minister addresses People’s Majlis, at Male

The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh addressing at the People’s Majlis, at Male, in Maldives on November 12, 2011. Photo: PIB “I wish...