Jaishankar’s Maldives Visit: Coast Guard, defence deals signed, Covid vaccines delivered
Sun Online Desk
24th February, 2021 11:07:39
A $50 million line of credit for the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) to buy Indian military equipment, Indian assistance for a coast guard harbour close to the capital Malé in Sifvaru, Uthuru Thila Falhu (UTF) in Maé Atoll and the handover of a second batch of 100,000 doses of Covid vaccine were among the highlights of External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar’s second visit to the Maldives. The line of credit will be used by the Maldivian Defence Force to buy equipment it deems necessary. As for the Coast Guard agreement, India will develop, support and maintain a harbour and dockyard comprising berthing facilities for ships, repair and maintenance unit, training facilities for personnel and accommodation. It’s expected to take three years and India is to provide maintenance aid for equipment at the dockyard for 15 years. Sources told S