India to develop strategically important airports in Maldives

Male: – India will be developing the strategically important Hanimadhoo International airport, in the Maldives. Following this, larger airplanes like the A-320 and Boing 737 will be able to land on this airstrip. This is considered to be a big and vital infrastructure project in Maldives. This will increase the connectivity between India and Maldives.

Recently, a delegation of the Airports Authority of India visited Maldives. They inspected the airport and in two months, they will submit its report regarding this matter. During the visit, the delegation met the Minister of Economic Development and Minister of Civil Aviation of Maldives. India has undertaken this development work, following a request from Maldives.

The expansion work of the airport will start in 2021. In this, India will be building a 2,200 metres long airstrip. Thereafter, A-320S and Boing 737 will be able to land on this airstrip. The Terminals in the airport complex, Cargo Terminals and Fire Stations would be refurbished as well. Moreover, at the beginning of this month, surveillance planes, of the Indian military, had landed on this airport.

India has invested in seven important projects in Maldives. India has provided financial assistance of $800 million for these projects. Under these projects, development of 34 islands, development of ports, fish harvesting, building a cricket stadium, etc will be carried out. India has provided financial assistance of $100 million for the Greater Male Connectivity project. The Indian Projects in Maldives, who is trying to wriggle out of the Chinese debt trap, become important.

Recently, India provided financial assistance of $250 million to Maldives. Maldives in entangled in the Chinese debt trap. The Chinese loans on Maldives are increasing. Fears are being expressed that if timely corrective action is not taken, Maldives will land in a situation similar to Sri Lanka. Therefore, in this scenario, all the Maldivian hopes rest with India. This is the reason that Maldives requested India to undertake the airport development project. This will strengthen the ties between the two countries and this will increase the Indian influence in the Indian Ocean Region. This will be a major jolt for expansionist China.