India backs Maldives’s candidature for UNGA President
India has decided to vote in support of Maldives’ Foreign Minister at the election for the President of the United Nations General Assembly for 2021-22 period.
This time the UNGA head will be chosen from the Asia-Pacific grouping.
Maldives has demonstrated its value in the comity of nations by joining the Indian Ocean Regional Association, rejoining the Commonwealth three years after it had quit over criticism of its human rights records and by playing a greater role in the United Nations.
Other Indian Initiatives in Maldives
During the COVID-19 pandemic, India gave the Maldives government $250 million to mitigate the impact of the pandemic. It also handed over 1,00,000 COVID-19 vaccines to the country.
India has been involved in other infra projects in Maldives, including expansion of the airport at Hanimadhoo and Gan, roads and reclamation in Addu, expansion of fisheries plants, cricket stadium in Hulhumalé, water and sanitation project in 34 islands and road project in the Southern city of Addu.
