Male/IBNS: Amid improving relations between the two countries once after a diplomatic standoff last year, India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Saturday met Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu at the Presidential office here and virtually handed over a multi-million-USD water and sanitation projects that benefits 28 islands of the archipelagic nation.

Commissioned under the Indian Line of Credit, Jaishankar said: "This project has brought safe drinking water to so many islands, to 32 islands and introduced sewerage systems in 17 islands. I am happy to note that this has directly impacted the lives of 28,000 Maldivians I believe."

"And under this project, the latest technologies have been used to provide clean drinking water and safe sewerage disposal. In addition, the buildings are also equipped with solar energy providing support to the island grids. With a total funding of USD 110 million, this is the largest climate adaptation implemented in Maldives with international collaboration," he said.

The optics of the recent India-Maldives cooperation assumes significance after a season of diplomatic tensions that reached a flashpoint last year over remarks by some Maldivian ministers against Indian PM Narendra Modi's visit to Lakshadweep, to promote the Indian Union Territory having the potential to compete with tourism major Maldives.

Known to be a pro-China politician, Muizzu also directed the complete withdrawal of Indian military personnel from the country, known as a popular travel destination for its picturesque beaches.

However, faced with the massive loss of Indian holidaymakers to tourism-dependent Maldives and opposition protests, President Mizzou soon changed his policy and started warming up to India. He also attended the swearing-in ceremony of Narendra Modi.

Speaking at the inauguration of the "Water & Sanitation Project in Maldives Jaishankar on Saturday said: "It is really a great pleasure today to be at the President’s Office in Maldives for the virtual inauguration and handing over of the Water and Sanitation Projects in 28 islands, commissioned under the Indian Line of Credit in the august presence of the President."

S Jaishakar meets President Muizzu in Male. Photo credit: Muizzu X handle

"The bedrock of our partnership is the mutual benefit of our peoples. This is manifested in diverse sectors of our cooperation – health, education, large infrastructure development, defence, maritime, agriculture, banking and adapting for climate resilience," he said.

"In our efforts to expand the scope and benefits of development cooperation, we are mindful of the challenges posed by climate change, especially for small island developing states such as the Maldives, which are even more vulnerable to the vagaries of rising sea levels," he said.

"One of the immediate concerns is the availability and access of freshwater resources. It has been our objective to provide ecologically sustainable low cost solutions to our development partners so that they are not only able to access potable water but also have the capability to treat sewage, thereby, protecting the delicate ecology of these islands and atolls. 

He said the completion of this project has supplemented the Government of Maldives' endeavours in reaching its Sustainable Development Goals by establishing climate resilient and cost-effective water and sewerage systems.

"I am sure that this will go a long way in improving the lives of the women in these islands who bear the primary burden of fetching clean water," he said.

Muizzu thanks India

President Mohamed Muizzu in a post on X, thanked India for the project and said: "I thank the Government of India, especially Prime Minister @narendramodi for always supporting the Maldives. Our enduring partnership continues to strengthen, bringing our nations closer through cooperation in security, development, and cultural exchange. Together, we build a brighter, more prosperous future for the region."

The Indian external affairs minister's visit followed the visit of President Muizzu to attend the swearing-in ceremony of the Narendra Modi government on June 9.