India will open its first consulate in Maldives

India will  open its  new consulate in Addu City of the Maldives this year to augment the country’s diplomatic presence in the Indian Ocean archipelago. The union cabinet on Tuesday approved  the said proposal. Maldives has an important place in the government’s “Neighbourhood First” policy. “This is a forward-looking step in pursuit of our national priority of growth and development or ‘Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas’. Augmentation of India’s diplomatic presence will...provide market access for Indian companies and bolster Indian exports of goods and services,” an statement said.

The opening of the consulate will also have a “direct impact in augmenting domestic production and employment in line with our goal of a self-reliant India ,” according to the statement. India and Maldives share ethnic, linguistic, cultural, religious and commercial links steeped in antiquity. Indians are the second largest expatriate community in the Maldives, with an approximate strength of 22,000. About 25% of doctors and teachers in the Maldives are Indians. India is currently implementing large infrastructure projects worth $2 billion, such as ports, roads, bridges, water and sanitation, in the Maldives. 

The Union Cabinet has granted ex-post facto approval to the Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) entered into by the Institute of Cost Accountants of India and the Institute of Company Secretaries of India with various foreign countries and Organisations. The two Institutes have signed MoUs with foreign organizations including the Institute of Public Accountants, Australia, Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment, UK, Institute of Certified Management Accountants, Sri Lanka and Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators, UK.