Maldives President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, who faced off against Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) party president, Mohamed Nasheed, won the presidential primary elections with a landslide victory. Solih received around 61 per cent of the total votes cast, according to local media outlets.&nbsp;&nbsp;Solih's campaign team celebrated his victory in the elections. Foreign Affairs Minister Abdulla Shahid said the victory represents a resounding affirmation of the president's progressive policies and inclusive leadership. President Solih told the media after casting his ballot that there had been no instances of vote-rigging in party&nbsp;internal elections.

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Chairman of the Election Committee Ibrahim Waheed told Maldives public broadcaster PSM News that the results of all the ballot boxes have now been received and the voting process was closely monitored.

Despite Mohamed Nasheed opposing Solih's candidature within his own party, the latter has said he would compete for a second term. Solih had entered the contest in the party primary elections, which took place on January 28. The two faced off and Solih won by a wide margin. Now, this year's Maldives presidential election will take place on September 9 with a potential runoff on September 30.&nbsp;

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Solih during his campaign had said that working with other parties would give the MDP a future in Maldivian politics. In order to keep the MDP in power, he has often said that he will establish a coalition with other parties. He refers to this alliance as the "winning formula." Solih's win on Saturday ensures him the presidential ticket of the biggest political party in the Maldives.

In the Maldives, this is the first time a sitting president has run for office in a party primary. Solih is the seventh president of the Republic of Maldives. 60-year-old Solih took office in 2018 for a five-year term. He'll run in the September election for the position of president.

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<h2>What do the upcoming Maldives elections mean for India?&nbsp;</h2>

Since 2018, when Abdulla Yameen, Maldives' president from 2013 to 2018, lost to Solih, relations between India and the Maldives have significantly improved. Yameen had influenced Maldives' foreign policy in favour of China. During the last year, Yameen's Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) has reportedly waged an anti-India campaign. It claimed&nbsp;that the MDP administration has allowed Indian forces to be stationed on Maldivian land.

After being found guilty of money laundering and bribery late last year, Yameen is currently serving an 11-year jail term. This jail term prevents him from running for office. However, his Progressive Congress Coalition is seeking to develop a legal argument for a higher court to exonerate him.&nbsp;

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Maldives President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, who faced off against Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) party president, Mohamed Nasheed, won the presidential primary elections with a landslide victory.

Maldives President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, who faced off against Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) party president, Mohamed Nasheed, won the presidential primary elections with a landslide victory. Solih received around 61 per cent of the total votes cast, according to local media outlets. Solih's campaign team celebrated his victory in the elections. Foreign Affairs Minister Abdulla Shahid said the victory represents a resounding affirmation of the president's progressive policies and inclusive leadership. President Solih told the media after casting his ballot that there had been no instances of vote-rigging in party internal elections. Also Read | Taliban ban Afghan girls from taking university entrance exams Chairman of the Election Committee Ibrahim Waheed told Maldives public broadcaster PSM News that the results of all the ballot boxes have now been received and the voting process was closely monitored. Despite Mohamed Nasheed opposing Solih's candidature within his own party, the latter has said he would compete for a second term. Solih had entered the contest in the party primary elections, which took place on January 28. The two faced off and Solih won by a wide margin. Now, this year's Maldives presidential election will take place on September 9 with a potential runoff on September 30. Also Read | Memphis police to ‘permanently deactivate’ its SCORPION unit whose officers fatally beat Tyre Nichols Solih during his campaign had said that working with other parties would give the MDP a future in Maldivian politics. In order to keep the MDP in power, he has often said that he will establish a coalition with other parties. He refers to this alliance as the "winning formula." Solih's win on Saturday ensures him the presidential ticket of the biggest political party in the Maldives. In the Maldives, this is the first time a sitting president has run for office in a party primary. Solih is the seventh president of the Republic of Maldives. 60-year-old Solih took office in 2018 for a five-year term. He'll run in the September election for the position of president. Watch | Zombie Fungus: Fungal pandemic can turn humans into zombies? What do the upcoming Maldives elections mean for India? Since 2018, when Abdulla Yameen, Maldives' president from 2013 to 2018, lost to Solih, relations between India and the Maldives have significantly improved. Yameen had influenced Maldives' foreign policy in favour of China. During the last year, Yameen's Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) has reportedly waged an anti-India campaign. It claimed that the MDP administration has allowed Indian forces to be stationed on Maldivian land. After being found guilty of money laundering and bribery late last year, Yameen is currently serving an 11-year jail term. This jail term prevents him from running for office. However, his Progressive Congress Coalition is seeking to develop a legal argument for a higher court to exonerate him. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Maldives President Solih wins high-stakes MDP primary with wide margin

The groundbreaking ceremony of Maldives' biggest infrastructure project, the Greater Male Connectivity Project (GMCP) will be done during President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih's visit to India next week.

The groundbreaking ceremony of Maldives' biggest infrastructure project, the Greater Male Connectivity Project (GMCP) will be done during President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih's visit to India next week. The project is supported by New Delhi with a grant of $100 million and a $400 million line of credit, totalling $500 million.Under the project, a 6.74 kilometres long bridge and causeway link will be built that will connect the national capital Male with three adjoining islands viz. Villingli, Gulhifalhu and Thilafushi. The project was first discussed during External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar's visit to the country in September 2019. The agreement for the project was signed between AFCONS and Maldives government last year and the mega infrastructure is expected to be completed within two years. Read More: India, Maldives to sign pact on mega Greater Malé Connectivity Project An opportunity to lend further momentum to the relations: EAM Ministry of external affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi informed about the visit last week by stating: "The visit will provide an opportunity for the two leaders to review the progress made in this wide-ranging partnership and impart direction to the two sides that will lend further momentum to this strong partnership that we have." During the visit, focus will also be on other major projects that India is helping the Maldives government build. Reportedly, India is supporting 45 projects in the country with grant assistance of $16.88 million or 260 million Maldivian rufiyaas. Of these 45 projects, 17 have been completed and inaugurated already. These projects cover diverse areas of socio-economic development including tourism, sustainable development, education, fisheries, healthcare, local infrastructure, sports & youth development. The projects are identified by the Maldivian government based on its development priorities and are implemented by local councils or concerned ministries. India has replaced China Before GMCP, Sinamalé Bridge, built by the Chinese was the biggest infrastructure project in the Maldives. The bridge is 1.39 km long and connects the capital city of Male with Hulhule. The construction of the bridge was started in 2014 under Abdulla Yameen, the then President who was close to Beijing. Currently, Yameen is leading an anti-India campaign in the country. The last state visit of Solih was in December 2018, just a month after taking charge. During that visit, India announced a $1.4 billion economic package which included support for building ports, airport expansion, reclamation and cricket stadiums amongst other projects. Cricket diplomacy has been a key component of the ties as India is training members of the Maldives cricket team. WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Groundbreaking ceremony of Maldives biggest infra project to be done during Prez Solih's Delhi visit

Maldives President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih will visit India in the first week of August, a visit that is expected to have key outcomes in areas like connectivity, trade etc. He is likely to visit India on the 2nd and 3rd but the final plan is still taking shape. During India's visit, he will not only be in Delhi to hold political level talks but also visit India's financial capital Mumbai to meet with business leaders.

The last state visit to India by President Solih was in December of 2018, which was also his first foreign visit abroad after assuming office earlier that year. During that visit, New Delhi announced a financial assistance package of US$1.4 billion and also offered additional 1000 scholarships over the next 5 years. In fact, PM Modi also choose the Maldives as his first foreign destination in 2019 after his re-election.

The Maldivian President 2019 paid an unofficial visit to Bengaluru to discuss the contours of capacity building when it comes to cricket in the Maldives and the training of the Maldivian cricket team. He also toured the Chinnaswamy Stadium and visited the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru. &nbsp;Cricket diplomacy has been a key part of the ties, with New Delhi gifting cricket equipment worth Maldivian rufiyaa (MVR) 1 million to the cricket board of Maldives. Maldives National Men’s and Women’s cricket teams are being trained at the Centre for Sports Science in Chennai.

India and Maldives have seen increased engagement, including a high-level visit of External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar to the country and a visit of Maldives Foreign minister Abdulla Shahid to Delhi. The developmental partnership has been a key pillar of the ties. Under Indian grant assistance of MVR 260 million, 45 projects are being implemented across the country. The projects cover areas of socio-economic development including tourism, sustainable development, education, fisheries, and healthcare. &nbsp;Of these total 45 grant projects, a total of 17 projects have been completed and inaugurated.

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Another area of cooperation has been connectivity. India is supporting the Greater Male Connectivity Project, the largest infrastructure project in the Indian ocean country through a Line of credit of USD 400 million and a grant of USD 100 million. This project aims to connect the national capital Male to Villingili, Gulhifalhu and Thilafushi islands through a series of bridges, causeways and roads.

Amid the covid crisis, under Operation Sanjeevani, the Indian air force special plane airlifted 6.2 tonnes of essential medical supplies from India to the Maldives in April 2020. A 14-member Rapid Response Medical team was deployed in the Maldives in March 2020 to train the Maldivian authorities and personnel in tackling the Corona threat. The country, along with Bhutan was the first set of countries to get India-made covid vaccines.

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Maldives President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih will visit India in the first week of August, a visit that is expected to have key outcomes in areas like connectivity, trade etc.

Maldives President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih will visit India in the first week of August, a visit that is expected to have key outcomes in areas like connectivity, trade etc. He is likely to visit India on the 2nd and 3rd but the final plan is still taking shape. During India's visit, he will not only be in Delhi to hold political level talks but also visit India's financial capital Mumbai to meet with business leaders. The last state visit to India by President Solih was in December of 2018, which was also his first foreign visit abroad after assuming office earlier that year. During that visit, New Delhi announced a financial assistance package of US$1.4 billion and also offered additional 1000 scholarships over the next 5 years. In fact, PM Modi also choose the Maldives as his first foreign destination in 2019 after his re-election. The Maldivian President 2019 paid an unofficial visit to Bengaluru to discuss the contours of capacity building when it comes to cricket in the Maldives and the training of the Maldivian cricket team. He also toured the Chinnaswamy Stadium and visited the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru. Cricket diplomacy has been a key part of the ties, with New Delhi gifting cricket equipment worth Maldivian rufiyaa (MVR) 1 million to the cricket board of Maldives. Maldives National Men’s and Women’s cricket teams are being trained at the Centre for Sports Science in Chennai. India and Maldives have seen increased engagement, including a high-level visit of External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar to the country and a visit of Maldives Foreign minister Abdulla Shahid to Delhi. The developmental partnership has been a key pillar of the ties. Under Indian grant assistance of MVR 260 million, 45 projects are being implemented across the country. The projects cover areas of socio-economic development including tourism, sustainable development, education, fisheries, and healthcare. Of these total 45 grant projects, a total of 17 projects have been completed and inaugurated. Also Read: Is it time for 'the big default'? Dozen countries moving towards economic collapse Another area of cooperation has been connectivity. India is supporting the Greater Male Connectivity Project, the largest infrastructure project in the Indian ocean country through a Line of credit of USD 400 million and a grant of USD 100 million. This project aims to connect the national capital Male to Villingili, Gulhifalhu and Thilafushi islands through a series of bridges, causeways and roads. Amid the covid crisis, under Operation Sanjeevani, the Indian air force special plane airlifted 6.2 tonnes of essential medical supplies from India to the Maldives in April 2020. A 14-member Rapid Response Medical team was deployed in the Maldives in March 2020 to train the Maldivian authorities and personnel in tackling the Corona threat. The country, along with Bhutan was the first set of countries to get India-made covid vaccines.

Maldives President Solih to visit India in first week of August

Several world leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and heads of state and government from Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bhutan and the Maldives, are set to visit Bangladesh later this month to participate in the grand celebrations to mark the golden jubilee of the country's independence from Pakistan.&nbsp;

The golden jubilee celebrations to be held from March 17-27 to mark the country's independence from Pakistan after the 1971 Liberation War also coincides with the birth centenary of Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.&nbsp;

Prime Minister Modi and four heads of state and government from Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bhutan and the Maldives will be among the distinguished foreign guests to join the celebrations under separate schedules, Bangladesh government's principal information officer Surath Kumar Sarkar said.&nbsp;

Maldivian President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih will be the first top foreign dignitary to arrive on a three-day tour on March 17, followed by Sri Lanka's Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa on March 19 on a two-day tour.&nbsp;

Nepal President Bidya Devi Bhandari will be in Dhaka on a two-day tour from March 22 while Bhutanese premier Lotay Tshering will visit the country on March 24 and 25.&nbsp;

Prime Minister Modi will arrive on March 26 on a two-day visit and will join the main Independence Day celebrations that also marks 50 years of Bangladesh-India diplomatic relations.&nbsp;

The foreign heads of state and government will join separately as part of the celebrations while Modi's visit would be an extended one which would take him to three places outside Dhaka, Sarkar said.&nbsp;

Foreign Minister Dr A K Abdul Momen, in a media briefing, said Prime Minister Hasina would hold talks with all the visiting heads of state and government, "but the main thrust of their tours was to join our celebrations".&nbsp;

The talks between Hasina and the visiting South Asian leaders are expected to yield several Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs), he said.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Several world leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and heads of state and government from Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bhutan and the Maldives, are set to visit Bangladesh later this month to participate in the grand celebrations to mark the golden jubilee of the country's independence from Pakistan.

Several world leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and heads of state and government from Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bhutan and the Maldives, are set to visit Bangladesh later this month to participate in the grand celebrations to mark the golden jubilee of the country's independence from Pakistan. The golden jubilee celebrations to be held from March 17-27 to mark the country's independence from Pakistan after the 1971 Liberation War also coincides with the birth centenary of Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Prime Minister Modi and four heads of state and government from Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bhutan and the Maldives will be among the distinguished foreign guests to join the celebrations under separate schedules, Bangladesh government's principal information officer Surath Kumar Sarkar said. Maldivian President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih will be the first top foreign dignitary to arrive on a three-day tour on March 17, followed by Sri Lanka's Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa on March 19 on a two-day tour. Nepal President Bidya Devi Bhandari will be in Dhaka on a two-day tour from March 22 while Bhutanese premier Lotay Tshering will visit the country on March 24 and 25. Prime Minister Modi will arrive on March 26 on a two-day visit and will join the main Independence Day celebrations that also marks 50 years of Bangladesh-India diplomatic relations. The foreign heads of state and government will join separately as part of the celebrations while Modi's visit would be an extended one which would take him to three places outside Dhaka, Sarkar said. Foreign Minister Dr A K Abdul Momen, in a media briefing, said Prime Minister Hasina would hold talks with all the visiting heads of state and government, "but the main thrust of their tours was to join our celebrations". The talks between Hasina and the visiting South Asian leaders are expected to yield several Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs), he said. (With inputs from agencies)

Modi, Solih, Rajapaksa to attend Bangladesh independence's 50th anniv

India and Maldives are committed to enhancing their cooperation for peace and mutual security in the Indian Ocean region, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi here on Wednesday, as New Delhi gifted a fast interceptor vessel to the island nation in a bid to further strengthening deeper maritime security.

Speaking via video conference as India and Maldives jointly inaugurated key development projects, Modi said that New Delhi's Neighbourhood First policy and Male's India First policies have helped in strengthening the bilateral cooperation between the two countries in all sectors.

"As a close friend and a maritime member, India is committed to continuing partnering with the Maldives for democracy and development. We will also enhance our cooperation for peace and mutual security in the Indian Ocean region," said Modi.

New Delhi has initiated the process to roll out RuPay card in the Maldives and an LED lighting projects in Male. Commenting on the same, the Prime Minister said, "RuPay Payment mechanism will further ease the travel of Indians to the Maldives. I'm glad that this has been launched through the Bank of Maldives."

"Today we dedicated LED street lighting to the people of Male. India is very happy to bring to them benefits of these environment-friendly lights," he added.

The two countries are jointly working on building a Cancer Hospital and a Cricket Stadium in Hulhulmale, the Prime Minister announced.

"In the coming years, the projects under Indian assistance will bring even more benefits to the people of the Maldives," Modi said.

RuPay card facilitates electronic payment at all Indian banks and financial institutions.

The ties between the two countries are on an upswing after Solih became President in November 2018.&nbsp;

India and Maldives are committed to enhancing their cooperation for peace and mutual security in the Indian Ocean region, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi here on Wednesday, as New Delhi gifted a fast interceptor vessel to the island nation in a bid to further strengthening deeper maritime security.

India and Maldives are committed to enhancing their cooperation for peace and mutual security in the Indian Ocean region, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi here on Wednesday, as New Delhi gifted a fast interceptor vessel to the island nation in a bid to further strengthening deeper maritime security. Speaking via video conference as India and Maldives jointly inaugurated key development projects, Modi said that New Delhi's Neighbourhood First policy and Male's India First policies have helped in strengthening the bilateral cooperation between the two countries in all sectors. "As a close friend and a maritime member, India is committed to continuing partnering with the Maldives for democracy and development. We will also enhance our cooperation for peace and mutual security in the Indian Ocean region," said Modi. New Delhi has initiated the process to roll out RuPay card in the Maldives and an LED lighting projects in Male. Commenting on the same, the Prime Minister said, "RuPay Payment mechanism will further ease the travel of Indians to the Maldives. I'm glad that this has been launched through the Bank of Maldives." "Today we dedicated LED street lighting to the people of Male. India is very happy to bring to them benefits of these environment-friendly lights," he added. The two countries are jointly working on building a Cancer Hospital and a Cricket Stadium in Hulhulmale, the Prime Minister announced. "In the coming years, the projects under Indian assistance will bring even more benefits to the people of the Maldives," Modi said. RuPay card facilitates electronic payment at all Indian banks and financial institutions. The ties between the two countries are on an upswing after Solih became President in November 2018.

India committed to partnering with Maldives for development: PM Modi

PM Modi will be leaving for the Maldives and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-modis-sri-lanka-visit-to-show-solidarity-with-people-foreign-secretary-225092">Sri Lanka on Saturday</a> which will be his first foreign visit after the general elections.&nbsp;

It has been eight years since an Indian PM visited the Maldives, the last was by Manmohan Singh in 2011. During the visit, PM Modi will address Maldivian Parliament, the Majlis and meet the top leadership. Many MoUs are expected to be signed including training of civil servants, customs and white shipping.

While giving details of the visit, foreign secretary Vijay Gokhale said, "The PM's visit is focused on three objectives, firstly it is to maintain contact at the highest level between the close neighbours, we want to assist the Maldives as a development partner, in the revival and development of there economy and third to strengthen people-to-people contact" 
&nbsp; 
Defence

Both PM Modi and President Solih will jointly inaugurate two defence related projects - the coastal surveillance radar system and composite training centre for Maldives national defence forces (MNDF) - &nbsp;the total value of the two projects is $180 crores. The composite training centre was requested by the Maldives to provide a central training facility and "will enhance the capability of MNDF", according to foreign secretary Gokhale. The coastal surveillance radar system will help Malé monitor white shipping and preserve its sovereignty in EEZ or exclusive economic zone.

Cricket

The Maldives is keen to have its own cricket team and a cricket stadium and asked for Indian assistance. India in May had sent a team of BCCI to the Maldives for the training of Maldivian cricketers, the supply of kits. India has given cricket kits and is expected to coach Maldivian cricketers. India had invited President Solih in April for an IPL match in Bengaluru. India sees it as important "people-to-people" exercise and has in the past helped countries like Afghanistan.

Connectivity

India is planning to start a ferry service from Kochi to the Maldives which the foreign secretary said will "significantly enhance connectivity". India is also working on fourteen high impact community projects which involves connectivity within the island, drug rehabilitation centre at a cost of Rs 50 crore. New Delhi also plans to provide speed boats for students.

In the last eight months, since the new government led by President Solih took charge in November last year, there have been a number of high-level visits.

While President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, foreign minister Abdulla Shahid and Defence minister Mariya Ahmed Didi visited India, PM Modi was in the country for the swearing-in ceremony of Solih and former external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj visited the country in March.

PM Modi will also be making a short and packed visit to Sri Lanka, while coming back from the Maldives on Sunday.&nbsp;

During the visit, PM Modi will meet Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena, Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, Sri Lanka's Opposition leader Mahinda Rajapaksa and R. Sampanthan, president of the Tamil National Alliance.

Foreign security Vijay Gokhale said: "Visit to Sri Lanka&nbsp;is to show solidarity with the people and government of Sri Lanka in the wake of the tragic events of April 21st and expressing our confidence in the government of Sri Lanka in overcoming this national tragedy".

"PM Modi will very clearly signal his commitment and intention of the government at the highest level to build a strong relationship based on mutual trust and mutual sensitivity to each other's concerns in the coming five years and discuss ways to enhance development partnership."

PM will be the first foreign leader to visit Sri Lanka after the Easter terror attacks in which over 250 people were killed. Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena had visited India last week for the oath-taking ceremony of PM Modi.

PM Modi has visited Sri Lanka twice in his first term, first in March of 2015 when he travelled to Anuradhapura, Talaimannar and Jaffna and then in 2017 when he was the chief guest at the Vesak day celebrations.

During PM's Jaffna visit, India had announced that it will hand over 14,000 houses to upcountry Tamils (Indian origin Tamils). The first tranche of houses of 1,500 was handed in August 2018, rest will be handed later this year and the first half of next year.&nbsp;

India has also provided over 280 ambulances to the country for the emergency service which was launched in July, 2016 under the Indian Grant Assistance of $7.55 million.&nbsp;

Japan is trilaterally working with Sri Lanka to develop an LNG terminal and east container terminal at the Colombo port. On the connectivity front, India is providing railway rolling stock under an earlier line of credit of Rs 2800 crore.&nbsp;

PM Modi will be leaving for the Maldives and Sri Lanka on Saturday which will be his first foreign visit after the general elections. It has been eight years since an Indian PM visited the Maldives, the last was by Manmohan Singh in 2011.

PM Modi will be leaving for the Maldives and Sri Lanka on Saturday which will be his first foreign visit after the general elections. It has been eight years since an Indian PM visited the Maldives, the last was by Manmohan Singh in 2011. During the visit, PM Modi will address Maldivian Parliament, the Majlis and meet the top leadership. Many MoUs are expected to be signed including training of civil servants, customs and white shipping. While giving details of the visit, foreign secretary Vijay Gokhale said, "The PM's visit is focused on three objectives, firstly it is to maintain contact at the highest level between the close neighbours, we want to assist the Maldives as a development partner, in the revival and development of there economy and third to strengthen people-to-people contact" Defence Both PM Modi and President Solih will jointly inaugurate two defence related projects - the coastal surveillance radar system and composite training centre for Maldives national defence forces (MNDF) - the total value of the two projects is $180 crores. The composite training centre was requested by the Maldives to provide a central training facility and "will enhance the capability of MNDF", according to foreign secretary Gokhale. The coastal surveillance radar system will help Malé monitor white shipping and preserve its sovereignty in EEZ or exclusive economic zone. Cricket The Maldives is keen to have its own cricket team and a cricket stadium and asked for Indian assistance. India in May had sent a team of BCCI to the Maldives for the training of Maldivian cricketers, the supply of kits. India has given cricket kits and is expected to coach Maldivian cricketers. India had invited President Solih in April for an IPL match in Bengaluru. India sees it as important "people-to-people" exercise and has in the past helped countries like Afghanistan. Connectivity India is planning to start a ferry service from Kochi to the Maldives which the foreign secretary said will "significantly enhance connectivity". India is also working on fourteen high impact community projects which involves connectivity within the island, drug rehabilitation centre at a cost of Rs 50 crore. New Delhi also plans to provide speed boats for students. In the last eight months, since the new government led by President Solih took charge in November last year, there have been a number of high-level visits. While President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, foreign minister Abdulla Shahid and Defence minister Mariya Ahmed Didi visited India, PM Modi was in the country for the swearing-in ceremony of Solih and former external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj visited the country in March. PM Modi will also be making a short and packed visit to Sri Lanka, while coming back from the Maldives on Sunday. During the visit, PM Modi will meet Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena, Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, Sri Lanka's Opposition leader Mahinda Rajapaksa and R. Sampanthan, president of the Tamil National Alliance. Foreign security Vijay Gokhale said: "Visit to Sri Lanka is to show solidarity with the people and government of Sri Lanka in the wake of the tragic events of April 21st and expressing our confidence in the government of Sri Lanka in overcoming this national tragedy". "PM Modi will very clearly signal his commitment and intention of the government at the highest level to build a strong relationship based on mutual trust and mutual sensitivity to each other's concerns in the coming five years and discuss ways to enhance development partnership." PM will be the first foreign leader to visit Sri Lanka after the Easter terror attacks in which over 250 people were killed. Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena had visited India last week for the oath-taking ceremony of PM Modi. PM Modi has visited Sri Lanka twice in his first term, first in March of 2015 when he travelled to Anuradhapura, Talaimannar and Jaffna and then in 2017 when he was the chief guest at the Vesak day celebrations. During PM's Jaffna visit, India had announced that it will hand over 14,000 houses to upcountry Tamils (Indian origin Tamils). The first tranche of houses of 1,500 was handed in August 2018, rest will be handed later this year and the first half of next year. India has also provided over 280 ambulances to the country for the emergency service which was launched in July, 2016 under the Indian Grant Assistance of $7.55 million. Japan is trilaterally working with Sri Lanka to develop an LNG terminal and east container terminal at the Colombo port. On the connectivity front, India is providing railway rolling stock under an earlier line of credit of Rs 2800 crore.

Coastal surveillance radar system, ferry service from Kochi high on PM Modi's agenda during Maldives visit

The island nation Maldives plunged into chaos after former president Abdulla Yameen declared an emergency earlier this year.

On February 5, Yameen imposed a 15-day-long emergency after a Supreme Court ruling quashed convictions against nine opposition leaders.

During the restrictions, Yameen’s administration arrested former president Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, the chief justice, another Supreme Court judge and a Supreme Court administrator on charges of trying to overthrow the government, news agency Reuters reported.&nbsp;

The Supreme court went on to reverse its decision to quash the convictions of the opposition leaders.

The state of emergency in the island nation went on for over a month, precisely for 45 days, until Yameen finally lifted the restriction on March 22.&nbsp;

Rights group Amnesty International had said the Maldivian government was using the emergency “as a licence for repression, targeting members of civil society, judges and political opponents”.

Since then, Yameen’s ruling coalition enacted laws without a required quorum in parliament, approved by the Supreme Court after its chief justice was arrested in February for alleged corruption under emergency regulations.

Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi in August called for greater democracy and the restoration of an independent judiciary in the Maldives.

A report by a European think tank, described the political situation in the Maldives under Yameen as "worse than had been previously understood and continues to deteriorate."

A number of electoral laws were amended by the government, with only 34 out of the 85 Members of Parliament voting for the passing of the amendments, making it unconstitutional, the report added.

In June, the Maldivian Opposition parties agreed to field a joint candidate for the presidential elections that were held in September.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/mohamed-nasheed-maldives-fighter-politician-and-champion-of-earth-184556">Former president Mohamed Nasheed</a>, who was in exile, announced that he won't contest the presidential polls. Nasheed's Maldivian Democratic Party's (MDP) parliamentary leader Ibrahim Mohamed Solih was named as the common candidate for the general elections.&nbsp;

After polls were conducted on September 23, results released by the electoral commission showed Yameen on 41.7 per cent of the vote, well behind MDP's Solih on 58.3 per cent -- the only other name on ballot papers.&nbsp;

Yameen called for nationwide protests over alleged vote rigging but later conceded defeated.&nbsp;

“Maldivian people have decided what they want. I have accepted the results. I met with Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, who the Maldivian electorate has chosen to be their next president. I have congratulated him,” Yameen said in a televised press conference.

"I did everything I had to do on behalf of the majority of Maldivians or in the interests of the nation. So, even today, I won't say I regret it," Yameen added.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/maldives-president-ibrahim-solih-a-reformer-who-must-hold-together-a-diverse-coalition-184835">Ibrahim Mohamed Solih</a>, in November, was sworn in as the new Maldivian president.&nbsp;

Veteran lawmaker Ibrahim Mohamed Solih overcame the detention and exile of key opposition figures to win this year's presidential poll and unseat incumbent Abdulla Yameen, but he must now keep together a coalition that includes two fierce rivals, Gayoom and Mohamed Nasheed, both former presidents.

The island nation Maldives plunged into chaos after former president Abdulla Yameen declared an emergency earlier this year. On February 5, Yameen imposed a 15-day-long emergency after a Supreme Court ruling quashed convictions against nine opposition leaders.

The island nation Maldives plunged into chaos after former president Abdulla Yameen declared an emergency earlier this year. On February 5, Yameen imposed a 15-day-long emergency after a Supreme Court ruling quashed convictions against nine opposition leaders. During the restrictions, Yameen’s administration arrested former president Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, the chief justice, another Supreme Court judge and a Supreme Court administrator on charges of trying to overthrow the government, news agency Reuters reported. The Supreme court went on to reverse its decision to quash the convictions of the opposition leaders. The state of emergency in the island nation went on for over a month, precisely for 45 days, until Yameen finally lifted the restriction on March 22. Rights group Amnesty International had said the Maldivian government was using the emergency “as a licence for repression, targeting members of civil society, judges and political opponents”. Since then, Yameen’s ruling coalition enacted laws without a required quorum in parliament, approved by the Supreme Court after its chief justice was arrested in February for alleged corruption under emergency regulations. Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi in August called for greater democracy and the restoration of an independent judiciary in the Maldives. A report by a European think tank, described the political situation in the Maldives under Yameen as "worse than had been previously understood and continues to deteriorate." A number of electoral laws were amended by the government, with only 34 out of the 85 Members of Parliament voting for the passing of the amendments, making it unconstitutional, the report added. In June, the Maldivian Opposition parties agreed to field a joint candidate for the presidential elections that were held in September. Former president Mohamed Nasheed, who was in exile, announced that he won't contest the presidential polls. Nasheed's Maldivian Democratic Party's (MDP) parliamentary leader Ibrahim Mohamed Solih was named as the common candidate for the general elections. After polls were conducted on September 23, results released by the electoral commission showed Yameen on 41.7 per cent of the vote, well behind MDP's Solih on 58.3 per cent -- the only other name on ballot papers. Yameen called for nationwide protests over alleged vote rigging but later conceded defeated. “Maldivian people have decided what they want. I have accepted the results. I met with Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, who the Maldivian electorate has chosen to be their next president. I have congratulated him,” Yameen said in a televised press conference. "I did everything I had to do on behalf of the majority of Maldivians or in the interests of the nation. So, even today, I won't say I regret it," Yameen added. Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, in November, was sworn in as the new Maldivian president. Veteran lawmaker Ibrahim Mohamed Solih overcame the detention and exile of key opposition figures to win this year's presidential poll and unseat incumbent Abdulla Yameen, but he must now keep together a coalition that includes two fierce rivals, Gayoom and Mohamed Nasheed, both former presidents.

Maldivian political chaos: 45 days of emergency that shook the island nation 

WION Dispatch: Maldives gets 1.4 billion dollar assistance from India

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