Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu has inspected the Thilamalé Bridge after workers established the first physical connection between the capital and neighbouring Vilimalé, calling the India-backed project a landmark for Greater Malé and a symbol of ties with New Delhi. Accompanied by Indian High Commissioner G. Balasubramanian, Muizzu walked the newly linked section of the 6.74km Greater Malé Connectivity Project (GMCP) on Sunday. The network of bridges and causeways is designed to join Malé with Vilimalé, Gulhifalhu and Thilafushi, islands that together hold a large share of the country’s population and industrial activity.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/maldives-biggest-infrastructure-project-advances-with-india-s-support-as-mal-villingili-link-is-installed-1787415496491">Maldives’ biggest infrastructure project advances with India's support as Malé-Villingili link is installed</a>&nbsp;The president said teams had “reached an important milestone, having established a physical connection between the two islands.” If the current pace is maintained, he added, “I am hopeful that the project can be completed within a maximum of one year.” Officials have previously pointed to a 2027 finish date.“This is a highly significant infrastructure project that stands as a symbol of the strong and enduring friendship between the Maldives and India,” Muizzu told reporters at the site. “The progress we have made on this project is a testament to the special attention accorded to it by the Government of India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as well as to the dedicated efforts of the teams from both countries working at every level.”&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/maldives-minister-saeed-sees-fta-with-india-opening-opportunities-for-maldivian-marine-industry-1783883853729">Maldives Minister Saeed sees FTA with India opening opportunities for Maldivian marine industry</a>&nbsp;He thanked India and its ambassador “for the importance they have accorded to this project and for their continued commitment to strengthening the close and longstanding ties between our two countries.” Once open, he said, the link would give “a significant impetus to the development of the entire Greater Malé area and bring substantial benefits to our people.” Projects that “symbolise the close friendship and partnership between the Maldives and India,” he added, would “continue to receive our utmost attention and priority.”&nbsp;High Commissioner Balasubramanian described the visit as a chance “to walk on this bridge when the first part of it has been completed.” India, he said, had worked closely with Malé “to ensure that this [is] one of the most comprehensive large scale infrastructure development that India has undertaken outside the borders of India.” He credited the Maldivian government, the ministries of construction and foreign affairs, and the president’s office. “I’m sure that once done, this will be a great asset for Maldives and for the friendly people of Maldives.”&nbsp;The GMCP, financed with about $500m from India, including a $100m grant and a $400m line of credit, is being built by Afcons Infrastructure. It is the Maldives’ largest infrastructure scheme, combining navigation spans, marine viaducts and at-grade roads. More than three-quarters of the work is reported complete, with the Malé–Vilimalé deck now joined after the final segment was placed earlier this month.

Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu inspected the India-backed Thilamalé Bridge after the first physical link between Malé and Vilimalé was established. The $500 million Greater Malé Connectivity Project is over 75% complete and is expected to boost connectivity and strengthen India-Maldives ties.

Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu has inspected the Thilamalé Bridge after workers established the first physical connection between the capital and neighbouring Vilimalé, calling the India-backed project a landmark for Greater Malé and a symbol of ties with New Delhi. Accompanied by Indian High Commissioner G. Balasubramanian, Muizzu walked the newly linked section of the 6.74km Greater Malé Connectivity Project (GMCP) on Sunday. The network of bridges and causeways is designed to join Malé with Vilimalé, Gulhifalhu and Thilafushi, islands that together hold a large share of the country’s population and industrial activity. Also Read: Maldives’ biggest infrastructure project advances with India's support as Malé-Villingili link is installed The president said teams had “reached an important milestone, having established a physical connection between the two islands.” If the current pace is maintained, he added, “I am hopeful that the project can be completed within a maximum of one year.” Officials have previously pointed to a 2027 finish date. “This is a highly significant infrastructure project that stands as a symbol of the strong and enduring friendship between the Maldives and India,” Muizzu told reporters at the site. “The progress we have made on this project is a testament to the special attention accorded to it by the Government of India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as well as to the dedicated efforts of the teams from both countries working at every level.” Also Read: Maldives Minister Saeed sees FTA with India opening opportunities for Maldivian marine industry He thanked India and its ambassador “for the importance they have accorded to this project and for their continued commitment to strengthening the close and longstanding ties between our two countries.” Once open, he said, the link would give “a significant impetus to the development of the entire Greater Malé area and bring substantial benefits to our people.” Projects that “symbolise the close friendship and partnership between the Maldives and India,” he added, would “continue to receive our utmost attention and priority.” High Commissioner Balasubramanian described the visit as a chance “to walk on this bridge when the first part of it has been completed.” India, he said, had worked closely with Malé “to ensure that this [is] one of the most comprehensive large scale infrastructure development that India has undertaken outside the borders of India.” He credited the Maldivian government, the ministries of construction and foreign affairs, and the president’s office. “I’m sure that once done, this will be a great asset for Maldives and for the friendly people of Maldives.” The GMCP, financed with about $500m from India, including a $100m grant and a $400m line of credit, is being built by Afcons Infrastructure. It is the Maldives’ largest infrastructure scheme, combining navigation spans, marine viaducts and at-grade roads. More than three-quarters of the work is reported complete, with the Malé–Vilimalé deck now joined after the final segment was placed earlier this month.

Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu inspected the India-backed Thilamalé Bridge after the first physical link between Malé and Vilimalé was established. The $500 million Greater Malé Connectivity Project is over 75% complete and is expected to boost connectivity&nbsp;

Muizzu hails Thilamalé Bridge as ‘symbol’ of Maldives-India friendship

Former Prime Minister of Malaysia Mahathir Mohamad is often blamed for ruining the bilateral ties between his country and India.

In December last year, he slammed India by questioning the necessity of the the Indian Citizenship (Amendment) Act&nbsp;at Kuala Lumpur summit in Malaysia.

Indian foreign ministry had hit&nbsp;back by rejecting all claims and said that the&nbsp;Indian citizenship law was India's internal matter.&nbsp;

Mahathir went&nbsp;out of his way to take on India, merely to&nbsp;impress Pakistan.

As a result, India&nbsp;imposed&nbsp;a de facto ban on palm oil imports from Malaysia over a diplomatic row.&nbsp;In January this year, Malaysia palm oil export to india tanked 85 per cent&nbsp;year-on-year, the lowest since 2011.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-imposes-new-curbs-on-malaysia-as-mahathir-mohamad-continues-to-comment-on-caa-274344">India plans to impose new curbs on Malaysia as Mahathir Mohamad continues to comment on CAA</a>

The country's government&nbsp;also&nbsp;confined import of microchips amid signs that the trade issue was probably not going to be sifted through soon as the Southeast Asian country kept&nbsp;on irritating India over Kashmir and the Citizenship (Amendment Act).

But a month later, the political dynamic in Malaysia changed. Mahathir Mohamad resigned as Malaysia's prime minister in February this year.

The country is currently being headed by Muhyiddin Yassin. This has brought positive changes in&nbsp;rebuilding India-Malaysia bilateral ties.

For starters, the two countries are engaging with each other. India's external affairs minsiter S.Jaishankar spoke to his Malaysian counterpart after the Yassin government took charge.

India's high commissioner to Malaysia Mridul Kumar has held several rounds of talks with Malaysian foreign minister Hisha-Muddin. The Indian envoy was the first foreign official that he received on taking office.

On the trade front,&nbsp;India resumed the import of Malaysian palm oil in May this year. India also increased imports of rice, sugar and high-speed diesel.

New Delhi and Kuala Lumpur have been working closely through the Wuhan virus pandemic.

India's Vande Vharat flights have brought back at least 7000 Indians from Malaysia. India is also exporting hydroxychloroquine and paracetamol to malaysia.

On August 5, the&nbsp;anniversary of the abrogation of article 370, under&nbsp;Yassin's leadership,&nbsp;Malaysia refrained from making any comment despite the fact that its&nbsp;Pakistan&nbsp;tried&nbsp;its best to rake the issue of Kashmir.

Therefore, it can be said that there has been a noticeable change in Malaysia's attitude towards India. But the elephant in the room, that is Zakir Naik, remains unaddressed.

Naik is accused of terrorism, hate speech and money laundering but the man is still hiding in Malaysia.

India sent a formal extradition request on May 14 this year. But the response from Malaysia has not been positive.

So, going forward, if Yassin wants to continue improving ties with India. He must cooperate with New Delhi in Naik's extradition.

If Malaysia agrees to send the Naik back to India, that will be a defining moment in the India-Malaysia ties.

Former Prime Minister of Malaysia Mahathir Mohamad is often blamed for ruining the bilateral ties between his country and India. In December last year, he slammed India by questioning the necessity of the the Indian Citizenship (Amendment) Act at Kuala Lumpur summit in Malaysia.

Former Prime Minister of Malaysia Mahathir Mohamad is often blamed for ruining the bilateral ties between his country and India. In December last year, he slammed India by questioning the necessity of the the Indian Citizenship (Amendment) Act at Kuala Lumpur summit in Malaysia. Indian foreign ministry had hit back by rejecting all claims and said that the Indian citizenship law was India's internal matter. Mahathir went out of his way to take on India, merely to impress Pakistan. As a result, India imposed a de facto ban on palm oil imports from Malaysia over a diplomatic row. In January this year, Malaysia palm oil export to india tanked 85 per cent year-on-year, the lowest since 2011. Also read: India plans to impose new curbs on Malaysia as Mahathir Mohamad continues to comment on CAA The country's government also confined import of microchips amid signs that the trade issue was probably not going to be sifted through soon as the Southeast Asian country kept on irritating India over Kashmir and the Citizenship (Amendment Act). But a month later, the political dynamic in Malaysia changed. Mahathir Mohamad resigned as Malaysia's prime minister in February this year. The country is currently being headed by Muhyiddin Yassin. This has brought positive changes in rebuilding India-Malaysia bilateral ties. For starters, the two countries are engaging with each other. India's external affairs minsiter S.Jaishankar spoke to his Malaysian counterpart after the Yassin government took charge. India's high commissioner to Malaysia Mridul Kumar has held several rounds of talks with Malaysian foreign minister Hisha-Muddin. The Indian envoy was the first foreign official that he received on taking office. On the trade front, India resumed the import of Malaysian palm oil in May this year. India also increased imports of rice, sugar and high-speed diesel. New Delhi and Kuala Lumpur have been working closely through the Wuhan virus pandemic. India's Vande Vharat flights have brought back at least 7000 Indians from Malaysia. India is also exporting hydroxychloroquine and paracetamol to malaysia. On August 5, the anniversary of the abrogation of article 370, under Yassin's leadership, Malaysia refrained from making any comment despite the fact that its Pakistan tried its best to rake the issue of Kashmir. Therefore, it can be said that there has been a noticeable change in Malaysia's attitude towards India. But the elephant in the room, that is Zakir Naik, remains unaddressed. Naik is accused of terrorism, hate speech and money laundering but the man is still hiding in Malaysia. India sent a formal extradition request on May 14 this year. But the response from Malaysia has not been positive. So, going forward, if Yassin wants to continue improving ties with India. He must cooperate with New Delhi in Naik's extradition. If Malaysia agrees to send the Naik back to India, that will be a defining moment in the India-Malaysia ties.

How India-Malaysia ties have transformed since Mahathir's departure

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Muizzu hails Thilamalé Bridge as ‘symbol’ of Maldives-India friendship

How India-Malaysia ties have transformed since Mahathir's departure