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Indian assistance will not push Maldives into debt: PM Modi

Fathmath Shaahunaz
08 June 2019, MVT 21:50
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi address the Maldivian parliament during his first state visit to Maldives on June 8, 2019. PHOTO: HUSSAIN WAHEED / MIHAARU
Fathmath Shaahunaz
08 June 2019, MVT 21:50

Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, assured late Saturday that the financial assistance granted by the Indian government to the archipelago would not push the future generations of Maldivians into debilitating debt.

The prime minister, who is currently on his first state visit to Maldives, made the declaration during a special address to the Maldivian parliament. He declared that India shared its progress and development to empower its neighbours and not to force them into dependency.

PM Modi stated that India based its neighbourhood first policy on the guidance of Mahatma Gandhi, the renowned activist who led the Indian independence movement against British colonial rule.

Addressing the cooperative ties between Maldives and India, the prime minister proclaimed that the two South Asian allies could set an example to the world in establishing peace and security in the Indian Ocean region.

PM Modi also called for Maldives and India to work closely together in combating terrorism and conflict.

He reaffirmed India's commitment to cooperate with Maldives in various sectors, and to further strengthen the longstanding friendly relations between the two nations.

PM Modi arrived in Maldives on his first state visit following his re-election, on Saturday afternoon. The governments of Maldives and India held high-level official talks and signed six agreements in five sectors during the visit, prior to the prime minister's address to the Maldivian parliament.

The prime minister will return to India early Sunday.

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