The development collaboration between India and the Maldives has stood the test of time

An Emergency Medical Services Unit, which was partially funded by India, has been inaugurated in a hospital in Maldives.

Foreign Minister of Maldives Abdulla Shahid took to Twitter to inform everyone that the unit has been inaugurated at the Baa Atoll Dharavandhoo Hospital.

"Grant assistance from India to Maldives has been pivotal in developing basic services in our island communities. The Emergency Medical Services unit inaugurated in B.Dharavandhoo, that was developed under this scheme is a step forward in broadening our medical services," he tweeted on Thursday.

The inauguration was done in the presence of Indian High Commissioner to the Maldives Munu Mahawar, and Maldivian Minister of Gender, Family and Social Services Aishath Mohamed Didi, on Wednesday.

"Adding heft to our #health cooperation!

The Emergency & Trauma Unit inaugurated at B.Dharavandhoo Health Centre today is another shining example of the people-centric grant projects being supported under the #IndiaMaldives dvpt. partnership," the High Commission of India in Maldives tweeted.

The Maldives government also partially funded the medical services unit. The project cost is 8.5 million MVR (Maldivian rufiyaa), about INR 4,14,58,782, of which 7.5 million MVR (roughly Rs 3,64,03,786) is a grant from India.

The Maldivian Foreign Minister also tweeted about the Hanimaadhoo International Airport Development Project being executed under the terms of a contract signed this week between Regional Airports Company Ltd and JMC Projects (India) Ltd.

He wrote, "Welcome the contract signing earlier this week, between Regional Airports Company Ltd & JMC Projects (India) Ltd for execution of Hanimaadhoo Int. Airport Development project, financed under @IndiaEximBank’s LoC. Thank India for this significant contribution for regional development."

On Saturday, during a special occasion called "India@75: Showcasing India UN Partnership in Action," Abdulla Shahid had sent greetings in Hindi to India. According to him, India has been a useful partner in overcoming obstacles such as those related to disaster assistance, the COVID-19 pandemic, vaccine availability, and economic development and recovery.

The development collaboration between India and the Maldives has stood the test of time and serves as a model for regional cooperation in the fight against transnational crimes and disaster assistance. In an effort to strengthen the cordial ties between the two nations, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President of the Maldives Ibrahim Mohamed Solih met in New Delhi last month.

During the meeting, the two leaders decided to undertake existing programs and capacity-building efforts in order to revitalize cooperation in maritime safety and security, marine domain awareness, humanitarian aid, and disaster relief.