In a strong show of commitment to environmental conservation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu on Friday planted mango saplings in Male as part of India’s ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ (Plant for Mother) initiative and Maldives’s “Pledge of 5 Million Tree Plantation” campaign.
“India and the Maldives fully understand the challenges of climate change and environmental degradation. And we are committed to doing everything possible to boost sustainability. This evening in Male, President Muizzu and I planted saplings, strengthening the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ initiative and the Pledge of 5 Million Tree Plantation of the Maldives Government,” PM Modi posted on X.
Prime Minister Modi reaffirmed India’s commitment to supporting the Maldives and its people, in line with their needs and priorities, and for the peace, progress, and prosperity of the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
Earlier in the day, the two leaders jointly inaugurated the state-of-the-art Ministry of Defence (MoD) building of the Maldives in Male. Overlooking the Indian Ocean, the 11-storey structure stands as a symbol of the strong and enduring defence and security cooperation between the two nations. The building, constructed with India’s financial assistance, is expected to enhance the operational capabilities of Maldives’s defence and law enforcement authorities.
PM Modi also handed over two Aarogya Maitri Health Cubes (BHISHM sets) to the Government of Maldives. These portable emergency medical units are equipped with advanced facilities, including ICU, operating theatre, X-ray, laboratory, and emergency care systems. Each unit can independently support a crew of six medical professionals and treat up to 200 casualties for up to 72 hours.
“Presented BHISHM cubes to President Muizzu, reaffirming our partnership in service of the people. Bharat Health Initiative for Sahyog, Hita & Maitri (BHISHM) is a symbol of India’s commitment to timely and compassionate healthcare support. These deployable medical cubes carry essential medicines and equipment for emergency care,” PM Modi said on X.
Additionally, the two sides witnessed the exchange of six MoUs in areas including fisheries and aquaculture, meteorology, digital public infrastructure, UPI, Indian Pharmacopoeia, and a concessional Line of Credit (LoC). The new LoC extends ₹4,850 crore (approximately USD 550 million) to support infrastructure development and related activities in the Maldives.
An Amendatory Agreement to the existing LoC was also exchanged, reducing Maldives’s annual debt repayment burden by 40 percent- from USD 51 million to USD 29 million. Both countries also exchanged Terms of Reference for the proposed Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
In a further boost to developmental ties, the leaders virtually inaugurated a roads and drainage project in Addu City and six High-Impact Community Development Projects in other regions. Prime Minister Modi also handed over 3,300 social housing units and 72 vehicles to the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) and immigration authorities.