Reduced petrol imports discussed as Indian minister concludes visit

Indian Foreign Minister Salman Khurshid has informed the Maldivian Government of its intention to continue supplying essential goods, with plans to supply petroleum products “on favourable terms”.

A joint statement released at the conclusion of Khurshid’s visit revealed an agreement had been reached  “in principle” with Mangalore Refinery & Petrochemicals Ltd to export diesel, petrol, and aviation fuels to the Maldives.

Mangalore Petroleum is a subsidiary of the India’s state-owned Oil and Natural Gas Corporation.

“[The] Indian side informed the Maldivian side of its agreement to continue supplying essential goods to Maldives,” read the statement detailing bilateral talks held this week.

Local media has also reported that Khurshid pledged US$10 million for the renovation of Indira Ghandi Memorial Hospital (IGMH).

As well as holding talks with the government, the minister of external affairs’ visit included his participation in the the 35th Inter-Summit Session of the SAARC Council of Ministers.

Bilateral talks were held on Thursday (Febraury 20) between Khurshid and the Maldives Foreign Minister Dunya Maumoon.

“The two sides reiterated their commitment to work together to promote democracy, development and mutual respect of each other’s sovereignty and peaceful co-existence and to contribute to peace, prosperity and security in the Indian Ocean region and South Asia.”

After expressing its satisfaction with the success of President Abdulla Yameen’s state visit to India last month, the Maldivian side also thanked India for its resumption of stone aggregate exports and the easing of visa restrictions for travel to India.

Bilateral ties appeared to have reached a nadir in late 2012 following the premature termination of a US$500 million deal to redevelop Malé’s international airport with Indian infrastructure company GMR.

The government’s decision to void the development contract was soon followed by increased visa restrictions and ending of favourable terms for the import of certain construction materials from India.

In early 2013, the Indian High Commission distributed a list of consular issues of concern to local media mainly concerning the mistreatment of Indian expatriate workers.

The list’s release was followed by the Indian High Commission issuing a statement in early February slamming local media in the Maldives for “misrepresentation and twisting of issues”.

“The two sides recalled their commitment to address all issues related to welfare of each other nationals, including speedy provision of consular services, on a priority basis,” read Thursday’s statement on the bilateral dicsussions.

Following President Yameen’s visit to India – his first official abroad since gaining office – senior government figures described Indo-Maldivian ties as being “as strong as they were during Gayoom’s time in power”.

Khurshid’s trip this week also included the gifting of naval landing craft and the laying of a foundation stone for a new Ministry of Defence building.

The visit also saw the official handing over of the new India-Maldives Friendship Faculty of Hospitality and Tourism Studies which India has constructed at a cost of US$11million.

The facility, will provide state-of-the-art infrastructure and equipment for training Maldivians in tourism and hospitality sector. The project also envisages India’s continued engagement through deputation of experts, and exchange of faculty from reputed hotel management institutes of India.

Heveeru reported that Khurshid had pledged funds to renovate Indian-built IGMH during the the tourism faculty’s opening ceremony.

“Indira Gandhi Hospital built in the Maldives by India in 1996 is the most significant symbol of the two countries relationship. It is an important step taken in the development of the Maldivian health sector. India is ready to further improve this national asset,” he said.

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5 thoughts on “Reduced petrol imports discussed as Indian minister concludes visit”

  1. Maldives will easily accept money from India, but whenever India wishes to advise and help Maldives in its affairs our beloved coalition will say, "Shut up and mind your own business."

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  2. yeah, when we are desperate for cash, we'll even take it from cow worshippers.

    Hell, Jameel will even take it from the Jews. I actually think Jameel is a Jew.

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  3. Cheap fuel from Mangalore
    10 million dollars for IGMH
    1 new naval landing craft gratis
    Resumption of aggregate exports
    Relaxation of visa restrictions
    New naval building gratis
    WHY O WHY ARE WE HARDWORKING HINDU TAXPAYERS FUNDING THIS LARGESSE?.....ESPECIALLY AS WE COW WORSHIPPERS HAVE NOTHING IN COMMON WITH YOU INTOLERANT TRUE BELIEVERS?
    The Indian embassy in Male should closely monitor the treatment on Indian expats in Maldives.....and pull the plug on all aid if there is a SINGLE incident of maltreatment or retention of passports.
    Hope you losers realise that without Indian aid you are a big Zero!!

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  4. The country have survived for last 3 years even without help from India and we will be able to do so even where after too.

    Miss India,people like you who have push so hard to use every things possible to make us like your ass but we never did and will never.

    Both India and Maldives need to work each other for mutual interest.

    Millions of dollars with trade were happening before India banned the export of construction material and these were directly benefited to Indian business .

    When india stop exporting, but Maldives had continued to do construction and it did not stop our development work as predicted by you.

    But agree it has escalated our cost but we will survive.

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