Jaishankar Inaugurates India-Funded Water and Sanitation Project in Maldives

The project spans 28 islands. S Jaishankar, who is in Male on a three-day official visit from August 9-11, virtually inaugurated the projects during the event. In his address at the virtual inauguration, S Jaishankar emphasized that the development partnership between India and the Maldives is focused on meeting the needs and priorities of the Maldivian people and government.

He noted that the partnership comprises a strategic mix of grants, loans, budgetary support, capacity building, and training assistance – all aimed at delivering tangible benefits to the common people. Furthermore, Jaishankar highlighted the challenges posed by climate change, particularly for small island developing states like the Maldives, stressing the importance of addressing freshwater resource availability and access. He stated that the partnership aims to provide ecologically sustainable low-cost solutions to access drinking water and treat sewage, in line with India’s initiatives of ‘Har Ghar Jal’ and ‘Swachha Bharat.’

The project has brought safe drinking water to 32 islands and introduced a sewerage system in 17 islands, directly impacting the lives of 28,000 Maldivians. With a total funding of USD 110 million, it is the largest climate adaptation project implemented in the Maldives through international collaboration. Jaishankar expressed optimism that this project will improve the lives of women on the islands, especially in fetching clean water, as they bear the primary burden in this regard.

He also acknowledged the theme of ‘Imagined by Maldives, Delivered by India’ in India-Maldives development cooperation and expressed a commitment to scaling greater heights with Maldives. Additionally, Jaishankar reaffirmed New Delhi’s commitment to strengthening India-Maldives relations during his meeting with Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu. President Muizzu thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the government of India for their continuous support and highlighted the enduring partnership between the two nations in various domains.

This visit marks Jaishankar’s first to the island nation after his re-appointment for a second term and follows the recent visit of President Muizzu to India for the swearing ceremony of the new Cabinet and Council of Ministers.