 President of the Republic of Maldives, Prime Minister Shree Narendra Modiji, Honourable Ministers, Excellencies, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen. I welcome you to this ceremony where we shall witness a few shining examples of India Maldives bilateral cooperation in the form of development projects and exchange of MOUs agreements. This would be followed by press statements by our two leaders. We begin the program by watching a video clip presenting an overview of India Maldives development cooperation. India has been a key partner in the socio-economic and infrastructural development of the Maldives. Several key projects have been completed in the past under this partnership. The National College for Policing and Law Enforcement in Uduk is India's largest grant project in the Maldives. Our bilateral partnership has made significant strides in recent years with a number of major development projects currently being carried out in the Maldives under Indian assistance. Among these, a road and drainage development project is being undertaken in Uduk City. Under this project, a drainage system of 103 kilometers will be built, helping to alleviate flooding experience during seasonal rains. In addition, 107 kilometers of road will be developed by the end of August 2023. The project for reclamation and shore protection in Uduk was initiated in March 2022. It will create close to 200 hectares of land that will further contribute to development of Uduk as a hub of economic activity in southern Maldives. India is also aiding the design and development of water and sewerage facilities across 34 islands in the Maldives. It is the largest climate adaptation initiative being carried out in the Maldives under concessional credit of over US$100 million. This project is closely linked to improving the well-being and livelihoods of communities across the country. India is happy to support efforts to preserve Maldivian culture and heritage, as evidenced by the project for conservation and preservation of Malay Friday Mosque. Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered assistance for this project during his visit to the Maldives in 2019. This project is being carried out with technical support from the Archaeological Survey of India and the project is estimated to be concluded by July 2023. India has been a true ally and trusted development partner of the Maldives. Long live the Maldives-India partnership. Next, we shall witness a video clip on the landmark Greater Malay Connectivity Project in Maldives. India and Maldives enjoy a strong bilateral relationship. Both countries share sturdy cultural links and the bilateral relations have been nurtured and strengthened by regular contacts at the highest levels. As part of its neighborhood-first policy, India is focused on delivering benefits like greater connectivity, improved infrastructure and broader people-to-people contacts in Maldives. The Greater Malay Connectivity Project aims to connect the capital, Malay, with the joining islands of Vilingili, Gullifalu and Tilafushi. This will decongest Malay while helping in the development of a port at Gullifalu, which is also being funded through an Indian line of credit. At Gullifalu, the government of Maldives is also planning a residential township. The Greater Malay Connectivity Project is being funded by an Indian grant and a line of credit. This development cooperation is based on Maldives' priorities. The project is being executed by Indian Infrastructure Nature, AFKONS. The Greater Malay Connectivity Project involves construction of a 6.69-kilometer sea-connecting link, including 3.6 kilometers of marine viaduct with navigation bridge spans and 3 kilometers of at-grade roads. A wide variety of marine fleet has already been deployed in the project. A significant amount of additional marine equipment will be mobilized as the project progresses. The Greater Malay Connectivity Project is a testament to a deep and enduring India-Maldives relationship. It's a strong reflection of a shared commitment to development and democracy and to a partnership that delivers. I now request both the leaders to kindly mark pouring of the first concrete of the project by jointly pressing the launch button. Thank you, sir. Next we shall view a video clip prepared to review the progress on construction of 4,000 social housing units being next we shall view a video clip prepared to review the progress on construction of 4,000 social housing units being constructed in Huda Malay. Providing affordable social housing is among the priority pledges of Government of Maldives. In order to enhance the quality of life of the residents of Greater Malay region, the Government of Maldives has initiated the development of 4,000 housing units under two projects. FDC-JMC Housing Project and FDC-NBCC Housing Project. The projects are supported by India through a bias-grade facility from the Exim Bank of India. The extension of India Maldives Corporation to the social housing sector stems from our flourishing development partnership. Located in Hulu Malay Phase 2, the two projects will comprise the development of 2,000 housing units each. Both projects will consist of 900 square feet 3-bedroom units and 650 square feet 2-bedroom units. FDC-JMC Housing Project is valued at US $137 million and the FDC-NBCC Housing Project is valued at US $130 million. The construction of the projects has now commenced. The projects aim to provide affordable housing for target populations through rent-to-own model and encourage home ownership for first-time buyers. These projects will cater to a total population of 20,000 people. Excellencies, we shall now proceed with the exchange of six documents between our two countries. First, we have the MOU and capacity building and training of members of local councils and women development committee and staff of local government authority. This will be exchanged from the Maldivian side by His Excellency Ahmad Khalil, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, and on the Indian side by Sri Giriraj Singh, Minister for Rural Development and Panchayati Raj. Next we have a MOU for cooperation in the area of cyber security. This will be exchanged on the Maldivian side by His Excellency Ahmad Khalil, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, and on the Indian side by Ashwini Vaishnav, Minister of Railways, Communications, Electronics and Information Technology. Third, we have a MOU on collaboration in potential fishing zone forecast capacity building. This will be exchanged from the Maldivian side by His Excellency Fayaz Ismail, Minister of Economic Development, and on the Indian side by Dr. Jitendra Singh, Minister of Earth Sciences, Oceanography, etc. Number four is a MOU on cooperation in the field of disaster management. This will be exchanged from the Maldivian side by His Excellency Ibrahim Amir, Minister of Finance, and on the Indian side by Sri Manu Mahavar, High Commissioner of India to the Maldives. Number five is an agreement between Exim Bank of India and Ministry of Finance of the Maldives for Police Infrastructure. This will be exchanged from the Maldives side by Commissioner of Police Mohammad Hamid, and on the Indian side by Ms. Harsha Bangari, Managing Director of the Exim Bank of India. And finally, we have a letter of intent on buyer's credit funding, approval of US$119 million for additional 2000 social housing units to be constructed in Hudumale. This will be exchanged from the Maldivian side by His Excellency Ibrahim Amir, Minister of Finance, and on the Indian side by Mrs. Harsha Bangari, Managing Director of the Exim Bank. Excellencies, this concludes the exchange of agreement ceremony, and now request the spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs to conduct the rest of the proceedings. Your Excellency, Mr. Ibrahim Mohammad Soly, President of the Republic of Maldives, Honourable Prime Minister Shinaridha Modiji, Honourable members from both countries, distinguished members of the delegation, friends of the media. We will now have the press statements. May I now request Honourable Prime Minister Shinaridha Modiji to make his press statement. Sir, the floor is yours. Your Excellency, my friend, President Soly, members of both the delegations, representatives of the media. Greetings. First of all, I welcome my friend, President Soly, and his delegation to India. In the last few years, in the relations between India and Maldives, a new force has come. Our rivers are big. Despite the challenges created by the Mahamari, our delegation is taking the form of a fortunate person. Friends, today, with President Soly, I have talked about many things. I have led all the delegations of our delegation, and I have also provided the resources on the important regional and international issues. A few minutes ago, I welcomed the start of the Greater Mala Connectivity Project. This will be the biggest infrastructure project of Maldives. Today, in the Greater Mala, 4,000 social housing units have been provided with the project. I am pleased to hear that we will also provide financial support for the other 2,000 social housing units. We have also decided to give 100 million dollars to the limited line of credit, so that all the projects can be completed in a timely manner. Friends, in Indian Ocean, transnational crimes, terrorism, and drug trafficking are very serious. Therefore, in the area of protection and security, there is a close relationship between India and Maldives and the community. It is important for the peace and stability of the entire region. We have increased our cohesion against all these social challenges. In this, capacity building and training cohesion is also included in the security of Maldives. I am pleased to hear that India will provide 24 units and a naval board for the Maldives. We will also assist in the development of police facilities in Maldives' 61 islands. Friends, the Maldives government has aimed to net zero carbon emissions. For this commitment, I congratulate the National Assembly and I also assure you that India will help Maldives in every possible way to achieve this goal. India has raised the flag of one world, one sun, one grid and it has raised the flag. And under this, we can take effective steps with Maldives. Friends, today, India's Maldives partnership is working in the hands of both the nations. In fact, peace, stability and stability are also being built for the region. Any need for Maldives or any problem, India has been the first responder and will continue to be. I thank the National Assembly and their delegation for their joyous trip to India. Thank you very much. Thank you, sir. May I now request His Excellency Mr. Ibrahim Hamid Sully, President of the Republic of Maldives to make his press statement. Excellency, the floor is yours. Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim. Ladies and gentlemen, members of the media, good afternoon. It is an absolute pleasure to be here again. I would like to thank you, Excellency Prime Minister Modi, the government and the people of India for the worm hospitality extended to me and my delegation during this visit. Maldives-India relationship goes beyond diplomacy. Our values, our histories and our cultures are intertwined, making it a traditional relationship. Our centuries-old relationship has grown with political trust, economic cooperation and coherent strategic policies between our two countries. We see this visit as an affirmation of the close bond that has grown between us. Our relationship has been nurtured and strengthened by regular contact. I hope that we can strengthen the ties we have with your Excellency and your country. The COVID-19 pandemic has not been kind on anyone. Like many other nations, we were also forced to fully close our borders for months. The result left both our economy and people in distress. Was it not for the generous assistance received in the form of budgetary support, medical assistance and supplies and the co-issued vaccine donated by the government of India? Our economic recovery would have been hard and long. The air travel bubble arrangement enabled the flow of economic activity. The undistricted supplies of essential medicines and commodities to the Maldives is evident to the strong bond we share. My government took office with an ambitious development vision. We appreciate India's support and generosity towards realizing this vision and fulfilling our development objectives. During this visit, the Prime Minister and I took stock of the progress made since we last met and discussed ways in which we can further expand and strengthen our relationship. The groundbreaking pouring of the first concrete ceremony of the Greater Malay Connectivity Project and the construction of 4,000 social housing units that we witness today stand as testimony to the strong partnership. This moment is made even more auspicious with the approval of the Exim Bank of India, Buyer's Grid funding of US$119 million for construction of another 2,000 social housing units in Greater Malay region. I thank the Government of India for this facilitation. I would like to thank the Government of India for facilitating the additional US$100 million for the US$800 million line of credit through the Exim Bank of India, which I am confident will be an added impetus to ensure us the timely completion of important development projects including the Cancer Hospital in Lamu et al. Ghan and the Hanimado Airport Expansion Project. We recognize and thank the Government of India for the continuous support to develop infrastructure and expansion of our human resource development. We are pleased to add more agreement in various fields that will contribute to the development agenda today. The MOU signed today on cybersecurity aims to promote closer cooperation and exchange of information pertaining to cybersecurity in accordance with the relevant domestic laws, rules and regulations and based on equality, reciprocity and mutual benefit. Investing in skilled development is a high priority for my government. Today, we sign important MOUs that will help enhance our human resources and development. The MOU signed between local government authority Maldives and the National Institute of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, India. On capacity building and training, we'll build the capacity of members of local councils women's development committee and the staff of local government authority. The MOU signed between the National Disaster Management Authority of the Republic of Maldives and the National Disaster Management Authority of the Republic of India. Aims to enhance and promote the cooperation in the field of emergency management between our two countries. The credit line MOU signed between the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Maldives and the Export-Import Bank of India to develop policy infrastructure of the Maldives will contribute towards enhancing cooperation between the police service and the public through neighborhood policing and ensure the social well-being and safety of our communities. The MOU signed between Ministry of Fisheries, Marine Resources and Agriculture of the Republic of Maldives and Indian International Centre for Ocean Information Services under Ministry of Earth Science Government of India will enable cooperation in potential fishing zone focused capacity. In light of the harsh lessons taught by COVID-19, the Prime Minister and I acknowledged that achieving economic resilience is exceptionally important to withstand the shock of unforeseen events. I urge investors from India to seize this opportunity as we work on building back better, to forge meaningful and mutually beneficial partnerships with the Maldives. As such, in collaboration with the Confederation of Indian Industry, we will be organizing two interactive business to business events in Delhi and Mumbai today and tomorrow, bringing together selected prominent representatives of leading cooperation from the Maldives and India. We welcome the operationalization of rupee card in the Maldives and agreed to consider further measures to boost bilateral travel and tourism and economic interlinkages which could lead to mutual benefit of both countries. In addition to bilateral matters relating to education, youth and sports, defense and security, fisheries, tourism, health and IT, the Prime Minister and I also discussed international issues of mutual concern. I congratulate Prime Minister Modi for his initiative and leadership of the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure, International Solar Alliance and India's pledge to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2017. We firmly believe climate action could only be achieved by international cooperation. Prime Minister and I discussed the issue of terrorism. We both reiterated a firm commitment to the work against terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and strengthen cooperation to enhance many times safety and security in the Indian Ocean region. I would like to express my thanks and appreciation to your excellency and the government of India for the announcements made today to give the second landing assault craft and the replacement ship of the CGS Hurravi that was gifted from the government of India to the Maldives National Defense Force. I would also like to express my thanks for the announcement made today to give 24 utility vehicles from the government of India to the Maldives National Defense Force. My government, since assuming office, has been fully committed to giving new heights to the relations between our two countries. Our relationship with India will always be of the highest priority. Mr. Prime Minister, along with my visit to India in 2018 and your visit in 2019 and the recent exchanges of high-level visits have brought a renewed sense of dynamism to our relations. Mr. Prime Minister, I thank you for the very personal commitment you have shown in being a friend and partner to the Maldives. I wish your excellency and the people of India peace, progress and prosperity. The Maldives will always remain a true friend of India. Firmly committed to our shared vision of peace and development in our countries and our region. Thank you. Thank you, your excellency. That concludes the press statements. Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for joining us. Please remain seated as the dignitaries make their way out of this.