Male: Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has joined Maldives President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih in the groundbreaking ceremony of the Hanimaadhoo International Airport Redevelopment Project.

Jaishankar is currently on a three-day visit to Maldives and Sri Lanka.

Jaishankar said: "Better connectivity is a prerequisite for greater prosperity. With this rationale, greater connectivity finds resonance in our theme for the G20 Presidency – One Earth, One Family, One Future. It is our endeavour to share India's experiences, learnings and models as possible templates for others, particularly in the developing world and to promote a universal sense of oneness through enhancing connectivity."

"That’s why today for us the redevelopment of the Hanimaadhoo International Airport is, first and foremost, a connectivity project that will bridge the gap between the people of northern Maldives and the rest of the world. This project, which I understand is the largest infrastructure investment in the northern Maldives, will open up new international operations from Hanimaadhoo. It will enable direct travel from the Northern atolls for business, medical and other purposes and further intensify people-to-people exchanges," he said.

"This project will have a truly transformative impact on the economy of the northern Maldives – it will help spur entrepreneurship, growth and employment opportunities, encourage tourism development and strengthen allied sectors, including fisheries and logistics – which are critical for the balanced growth of this region," he said.

He said the project is also a great example of the vision of decentralization of the Government of Maldives.

"India’s partnership with the Maldives is based on our genuine desire to work together for each other’s welfare and interests. It is a partnership that has enabled us to swiftly and effectively respond to challenges, as we saw recently during the Covid pandemic. It is a partnership that has enabled us to deliver results and bring about tangible benefits to our peoples in accordance with their wishes, aspirations and priorities," he said.

Speaking on his trip to the country, he said: "I had an opportunity to visit Addu in March last year and was impressed by the progress of various India-supported projects being implemented there.Our flagship project – the Greater Malé Connectivity Project – is also progressing well. The pouring of the first concrete was witnessed by the leaders during President Solih’s visit to India in August last year. We are committed to timely implementation of this prestigious project."