On his third visit to the Maldives, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was accorded a ceremonial welcome with a 21-gun salute and cultural performance by Aminiya School girls at Malé's Republic Square. Several MoUs and agreements were exchanged after official talks, including a US$ 565 million line of credit, a dollar credit line with India's EXIM Bank and a remittance arrangement with the central bank. Modi and President Muizzu virtually inaugurated Addu City's new roads and six community development projects; oversaw the ceremonial handover of 72 military vehicles and 4,000 India-funded housing units; and delivered joint press statements. Modi planted a mango tree at the Sultan Park, donated two portable hospital systems, inaugurated the new MNDF office building, and attended a banquet hosted in his honour, where he spoke about the linguistic and cultural affinities between the countries.
Independence Day celebrations kicked off with a flag-hoisting ceremony in the morning, followed by a military display, procession and cultural performances at the Republic Square with Prime Minister Modi as the guest of honour. Earlier in the day, the president addressed police officers and soldiers at a joint ceremony and vowed to protect "every square inch" of Maldivian territory.
Prior to concluding his two-day state visit, Modi met the speaker of parliament, former president Nasheed, and political party leaders. The prime minister also met with the beneficiaries of India-funded capacity building programmes and interacted with the Indian community in Malé.
The ceremony for the partial opening of the Velana International Airport's new terminal featured theatrical performances and a world-record attempt for a simultaneous choreographed fireworks display and light projections. Hundreds of people gathered in Malé's eastern waterfront to watch the fireworks and drone show. Several international flights were delayed and domestic flights were diverted as the airspace remained closed for more than an hour and a half after the scheduled reopening time.
The Bank of Maldives launched Indian rupee accounts for the first time in the Maldives, enabling denominations of INR 500 and above as well as inward and outward remittances.
Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake is due to arrive on Monday on his first state visit to the Maldives.
