Monday, December 29, 2008

India visit fruitful, says Maldives President

The President of the Republic of Maldives, Mohamed Nasheed, was on an official visit to India from December 23 to December 26, 2008. During the visit, the President of Maldives signed two pacts with the Indian government - one on extending a standby credit facility of $100 million to Maldives and another on air services agreement.

The two governments agreed to work together for the further enhancement of their multifaceted relationship based on shared democratic values, commitment to economic development and social welfare, mutual understanding and cooperation and shared views on major international issues, says a release.

The two sides noted that there was great potential to increase trade and investment between the two countries. Both agreed to revive the sub group on trade under the India-Maldives Joint Commission to recommend ways and means to enhance trade and investment.

Nasheed addressed a meeting of Indian and Maldivians businessmen and industrialists organised jointly by Association of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (Assocham), the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).

Nasheed invited the Indian entrepreneurs to participate in these programmes.

During his visit, Nasheed called on the President of India, Pratibha Devisingh Patil; the Vice-President of India, Mohammed Hamid Ansari; and the External Affairs Minister, Pranab Mukherjee.

The Chairperson of the United Progressive Alliance, Sonia Gandhi, and the Leader of Opposition L.K. Advani called on President Nasheed in New Delhi.

Nasheed and Dr Manmohan Singh, Prime Minister of India, held official level discussions in New Delhi.

This was Nasheed’s first visit to India after assuming the office of the President of the Republic of Maldives in November 2008.

Source: sify.com

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