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The Hindu
4 minutes ago
- The Hindu
PM Modi's Maldives visit, a turnaround in ties
When Prime Minister Narendra Modi attends the Maldives's 60th Independence Day celebration in capital Male on July 26, 2025, his presence will mark a major turnaround in ties between the neighbours — something that neither side might have foreseen 18 months ago. Also read: Ties in region back in focus with PM's visit to Maldives Although Mohamed Muizzu used the 'India out' plank — taking off on a campaign by former President Abdulla Yameen — for his successful presidential bid in September 2023, there was a notable thaw in the Maldives's India ties within months, seen in the meeting of the leaders of both countries, on the sidelines of the UN COP 28 climate summit in Dubai in December 2023, where they agreed to bolster economic partnership and people-to-people ties. Downs and ups However, early 2024 saw a rapid decline in the relationship again, with junior Maldivian ministers making derogatory remarks against PM Modi, in connection with his Lakshadweep visit, and a shrill, apparently well-coordinated 'Boycott Maldives' campaign that dominated Indian social media soon after, threatening the country's tourism-reliant economy. Returning from a five-day visit to China in January 2024, President Muizzu told local media that the Maldives may be a small island nation, but that does not allow others to 'bully' the country and that the Maldives 'is not in anyone's backyard'. In March 2024, Mr. Muizzu said no Indian military personnel, not even those in civilian clothing, would be present in his country after May 10, 2024. By early May last year, India fully pulled out its troops from the Maldives, meeting the deadline set by President Muizzu, with a compromise of replacing them with technical personnel. Economic support Subsequently, ties saw an improvement, paving way for President Muizzu's state visit to India in October 2024, even as the island nation was struggling with its debt burden and widening fiscal deficit that some feared might push it towards default. After the two leaders met in New Delhi, India signed a crucial currency swap agreement — available until 2027 — with the Maldives for $750 million, to help the island nation tide over its current foreign currency crunch. The two countries also agreed on a 'vision statement' for a 'comprehensive economic and maritime security partnership' going forward. In May 2025, India rolled over a $50 million-treasury bill to support the country bolster its reserves and stabilise its economy. Today, Indian flags have been put up across Male, sources based in the capital city told The Hindu on Thursday, to welcome the Indian PM, scheduled to arrive Friday [July 25, 2025] morning from the United Kingdom, amid considerable social media criticism of the Maldivian government from detractors. Mr. Modi is the first Head of State to visit the Maldives since President Muizzu assumed office in November 2023. 'Hard work' 'It's a question of working hard at a relationship,' Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said, in a special media briefing on July 22, 2025, referring to the positive shift India-Maldives ties. Observing that 'there will always be events that will impact or try to intrude on the relationship', he pointed to the 'kind of attention' that has been paid to the relationship and including at the highest levels. 'We have continued to work at it …we have also been in very close discussions with our partners in the Maldives to provide clarity and assurances about what it is that we want to do bilaterally, and I think the result is there for all to see,' he told reporters in New Delhi. Describing the joint vision for an 'India-Maldives comprehensive economic and maritime security partnership' as the 'guiding framework' for bilateral ties, Mr. Misri said New Delhi has seen nearly half a dozen ministerial-level visits from the Maldives in the first six months of this year. During Mr. Modi's visit a set of agreements across sectors is expected. The two sides are likely to agree on the terms of reference for the Free Trade Agreement that is currently under negotiation. Further, agreements in new areas of cooperation, including renewable energy, fisheries, digital infrastructure are to be firmed up. Prior to Mr. Modi, former Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena and former Prime Minister of Pakistan Nawaz Sharif participated as Guests of Honour in the Maldives's Independence Day events in 2015 and 2017 respectively.
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First Post
4 minutes ago
- First Post
Scotch, cars, chocolates and more: What will become cheaper as India-UK sign FTA?
India and the UK are signing a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) on Thursday, as PM Narendra Modi meets his British counterpart Keir Starmer in London. Under the landmark deal, the UK will eliminate duties on several Indian imports, including textiles, leather, gems and jewellery and machinery. For Indians, Scotch whisky, British cars, and chocolates will become cheaper read more India and the UK are signing a Free Trade Agreement on July 24. File Photo/Reuters India and the United Kingdom (UK) are set to sign a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) on Thursday (July 24). British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is hosting his Indian counterpart, Narendra Modi, in London and the two will hold discussions on a range of topics. The signing of the FTA is a key part of PM Modi's UK visit. New Delhi and London concluded talks in May to reach a bilateral Free Trade Agreement, discussions for which first began in January 2022. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD As per the British government estimates, the FTA will boost its GDP by £4.8 billion ($6.5 billion) annually. Indian exports to the UK are expected to double by 2030. The trade deal will benefit both countries. Here's how it will impact you. How India will gain The India-UK FTA would eliminate duties on 99 per cent of Indian exports to Britain, including key sectors such as textiles, leather, gems and jewellery, auto parts and engines, furniture, sports goods, chemicals, and machinery. Several of these goods are facing UK tariffs ranging from four per cent to 16 per cent. The removal of UK taxes on Indian garments and home textiles – which range from eight to 12 per cent – will make them more competitive against products from Bangladesh and Vietnam. The Indian exports in this sector are projected to rise to up to 40 per cent in the next three years. Zero tariffs on gold, diamond jewellery, and leather goods will be a boost for MSME exporters and luxury product manufacturers in India. The UK will ease the process of approvals for Indian pharmaceutical companies, with the NHS opening further for generic medicines from India. The European country will also cut duties on Indian processed foods, basmati rice, shrimp, spices, and tea, giving a fillip to exports from Kerala, Assam, Gujarat, and West Bengal. Under the FTA, premium Indian food brands will have enhanced access to the UK market. Tariffs will also be removed on agrochemicals, industrial chemicals, and plastics. India's chemical exports to the UK could double by 2030. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Indian electric and hybrid vehicle makers are also set to benefit with preferential access to the UK under a quota system. Welspun India, Arvind Ltd, Bata India, Relaxo, Tata Motors, Mahindra Electric, and Bharat Forge are among the companies likely to benefit from greater market access. According to the Indian Commerce Ministry, the UK will provide assured access to business visitors, contractual service providers, yoga instructors, chefs and musicians for temporary stay. The FTA will also make it easier for Indian professionals to work in the UK by streamlining employment laws and visa procedures. The British government will expand the range of occupations for which highly qualified Indians can apply. Indian professionals working temporarily in the UK will not have to pay social security contributions for up to three years, saving around Rs 4,000 crore annually. What gets cheaper for Indians? Scotch whisky and luxury cars from the UK will become cheaper. India has agreed to reduce tariffs on Scotch whisky and gin from 150 per cent to 75 per cent, and further to 40 per cent over the next 10 years. Taxes on imported UK-made cars, currently over 100 per cent, will drop to 10 per cent under a quota system that will gradually expand. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD UK-based firms such as Diageo (Scotch whisky) and British luxury carmakers like Aston Martin and Jaguar Land Rover will greatly benefit from better access to India's growing consumer market. India will also eliminate or reduce tariffs on products such as cosmetics, salmon, chocolates, medical devices, and biscuits. With inputs from agencies
Indian Express
4 minutes ago
- Indian Express
Former India kabaddi team captain Deepak Hooda falls into Ganga in Haridwar, rescued by Uttarakhand Police
Deepak Hooda, a former captain of the Indian men's Kabaddi team and a BJP leader, fell into the Ganga river in Haridwar and was swept away by the high current before a team of the Uttarakhand Police rescued him Wednesday. Talking about the incident, Hooda said Thursday, 'I had been regularly visiting Haridwar. It was Sawan Shivratri yesterday, and I went there for a holy dip. While I was taking the dip, I slipped into a ditch. I could not balance myself and started drowning. Within a few seconds, the rescue team arrived and managed to pull me out of the water. I would like to thank the Uttarakhand Police.' 'It was scary. The water current was too fast. I could not balance myself. I tried to stay afloat, but it was tough. The rescuers saw me and reached me. Luckily, I could be saved. It is the blessings of people that have kept me alive. I am a good swimmer and have been going there since my childhood. But, it was due to the high water current that I could not balance myself', added Hooda, an Asian gold medallist and an Arjuna awardee. The Uttarakhand Police posted a video of Hooda's rescue on its social media handle. Officials said that during the ongoing Kanwar Yatra, incidents of pilgrims falling into the Ganga river are common. As a result, the Haridwar police have deployed several rescue teams at various ghats. The BJP fielded Hooda from the Meham constituency in the Rohtak district in the 2024 Haryana Assembly elections. In his first electoral battle, Hooda, however, finished a distant fourth and got only 8,929 votes. Congress candidate Balram Dangi won the seat, securing 56,865 votes. Hooda's wife Sawerty Boora is an international boxer who has also been honoured with the Arjuna Award.
