India-Maldives Development Partnership: Promises and Possibilities
Indias approach towards Development Partnership with the external world has been inclusive, humanistic, unconditional, comprehensive and futuristic. India-Maldives Development Partnership has to be seen in the context of India-Maldives relations that have been described as close, cordial and multi-dimensional. The Maldives undoubtedly occupies a very special place in Indias Neighborhood First policy. Indias development partnership with the Maldives goes with the `SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) vision of the Government of India. The partnership is characterised by transparency and as per the needs and priorities of the Maldivians. It touches every facet of the development of the Maldives to enhance stability and prosperity of the atoll state. Involving about US$ 3 billion in terms of grants, loans, budgetary support, capacity building and training assistance, the development partnership support is intended to reach the beneficiaries directly via the local councils. However, there are various challenges in the process of implementation of the projects under the development partnership. Yet, the future of the partnership looks promising. The main objective of the paper is to answer the following questions: What is the context of development partnership between India and Maldives? In what manner India has extended development assistance to its neighbour? Are there any challenges in the process of rendering such assistance? What is the way forward? 2024 Indian Council of World Affairs.
India's Development Partnership: Expanding Vistas, pp. 111-124.
Manoharan N., Christ University, Bangalore, India