Maldivian government will protect Indian investors: Mulay

Indian High Commissioner to the Maldives D. M. Mulay has expressed full confidence that the government of President Dr Mohamed Waheed Hassan Manik will protect Indian investors in Maldives.

Mulay made this statement while speaking at the function ‘India Maldives Friendship Day’, held at Iskandar School last night to mark the anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Mulay said that IGM Hospital is a symbol of the good relations between the two countries. He highlighted that the historical ties go way back, and said that India even assisted Maldives to gain independence from the Portuguese.

President Waheed said in his speech that Indian companies operate freely in the Maldives, and that Indian investors are protected in the Maldives.

“Small countries like Maldives are like small businesses, vulnerable to external shocks, always self-conscious about security and easily manipulated by bigger partners. In addition as a nation state, small countries are very conscious of their national pride and sovereignty,” He said.

The President mentioned some names of Indian businesses operating in the Maldives.

“Notable companies which have had successful presence include the State Bank of India, the Taj Hotels and Resorts, Warf telecommunications, Shri Education, Kangaroo Kids and so on,” he said.

Noting the strong ties between the two countries, the President said that Maldives receives valuable assistances from India in the areas of capacity building, health, education, security and trade; and similarly, about thirty thousand Indians live and work in the Maldives.

Mulay mentioned that about 5,000 Maldivians live in Trivandrum. He also highlighted that Indians who work in Maldives sometimes face problems such as not being paid their wages.

The function was also attended by Ministers, Members of Parliament, and senior officials of the Indian High Commission.

At the function, India gave financial aid to some charitable organisations in the Maldives. The aid and certificates were presented to Hemophilia Society of Maldives, Care Society and Maldives Autism Association by President Waheed.

Diplomatic relations were established between Maldives and India in 1966, and military and economic collaboration agreements were signed in 1976 and1981 respectively.