Recent development � India and Maldives signed three MOU�s namely �

(i) MoU on cooperation in the field of health, Manpower requirements of the Indira
Gandhi
Memorial Hospital allotment of plot to the High Commission of Maldives

India has earlier extended financial assistance for development projects in

Maldives �
(a) Renovation of Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital in Male
(b) Construction of training centre for Maldives Defence forces.
(c) Assistance in setting up of Maldives Police Academy
Other than that India also agreed to allow visa-free entry to citizens of Maldives
for medical
purposes.
What are the concerns between India and Maldives?
? Maldivian politics: Maldivian president overpowered the constitution and
Democracy at risk
? China closer relations with Maldieves: China moving towards Maldives to counter
India
? Religious radicalization: Maldives transformed from religious tolerant nation to
religious
radicalization
? Terrorism: Roots of terrorism from the radical religionism, world rising concerns
on this
including India
? No FTA with India: Maldives and India do not have a Free Trade Agreement.
However,
Maldives and China entered into Free Trade Agreement.
? Yameen government asked India to remove its Dhruv advanced light helicopters from
Maldives
(which India had gifted in 2013). Yameen government has alleged that tensions over
the presence