INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
India has agreed to extend hundreds of millions of dollars in financial support to the Maldives to help strengthen its struggling
economy.The deal was announced after Maldives President Mohammed Muizzu held talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his five-day
will allow companies to do business in local currencies rather than in US dollars.The Maldivian president was given red carpet treatment
after relations soured in recent months
said.The statements - and the Indian financial package - signal a significant improvement in relations between Male and Delhi, which have
been strained since Muizzu came to power in November 2023.Soon after taking over, he chose to travel to Turkey and China - his visit to the
latter in January was seen especially as a high-profile snub to India as previous Maldivian leaders traditionally visited Delhi first after
being elected.Around the same time, India was angered by derogatory comments from three Maldivian officials about Modi.But analysts say the
trade agreement.Ahead of his meeting with Modi, Muizzu had told the BBC that he expected India to help the country as it has done in the
Some saw it as a mission to collect data which could be used by the Chinese military for submarine operations.Muizzu has however rejected
$1.37bn in loans.Source: BBC--Agencies
