The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on 2nd July 2019, gave approvals to Memorandum of Understanding(MoU)s and Agreements between India and Maldives.
MoU between India and Maldives in the Health Sector
On July 2, 2019, The Union Cabinet gave its approval to the MoU between Government of India India and Government of the Republic of the Maldives on cooperation in the field of Health. The MoU was signed on 8th June 2019 for facilitating greater cooperation between both the nations and to develop human resources in healthcare.
MoU covers cooperation in
i. Exchange & Training of medical doctors, officials, other health professionals, and experts;
ii. Medical and health research development;
iii. Regulation of medicines and medical products, and exchange of information thereon;
iv. Communicable and Non-Communicable diseases;
v. E-Health and Telemedicine
MoU between India and Maldives in the field of ferry services
On July 2, 2019, Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given ex-post facto approval for MoU between India and Maldives for the establishment of passenger and cargo services by sea.
The MoU was signed on June 8, 2019, during the official state visit of Prime Minister Modi to the Maldives.
Benefits of MoU
i. It will promote starting ferry services for tourists as well as cargo between Maldives and Kochi by Connecting Kochi with Male and Kulhudhuffushi in the Maldives by Sea route. At present, the connectivity is through flights to Male and sea planes to resorts, which is an expensive option.
ii. The proposed ferry service will contribute in a big way to promote people to people contact and to boost bilateral trade and it will promote inbound tourism, particularly health and wellness tourism for India.
iii. In addition, a large number of Maldivians also travel to Kerala and other South Indian cities for educational purposes.
About the Maldives:
♦ Capital: Malé
♦ Currency: Maldivian rufiyaa
♦ President: Ibrahim Mohamed Solih