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Information reaching Kossyderrickent has it that Indian government allotted ₹770 Cr to Maldives despite boycott.
India has raised development assistance to the Maldives by 50 per cent from Rs 400 crore to Rs 600 crore in this year’s interim Budget, according to the demand for grants of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
Though India allocated Rs 400 crore last year, it ended up spending Rs 770 crore, per the revised estimates.
This means India’s development assistance for the Maldives this year is lower by 22 per cent than what was spent last year.
This increased allocation is designated for an ambitious infrastructure project in the Maldives — the Greater Malé Connectivity Project (GMCP). Moreover, an allocation of Rs 600 crore is reserved for the GMCP this year (FY 2024-25).
This financial support comes at a time when Maldivian President Muizzu, who won the general elections on an anti-India campaign, is demonstrating a clear inclination towards China. Recently, a controversy erupted, leading to the dismissal of three government ministers for making racist comments against Indians.
This incident occurred after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi promoted tourism in the Lakshadweep chain of islands, which reportedly irked some Maldivian officials.
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