Indo - Seychelles, Mauritius and Maldives Relations

India-Mauritius FTA nears finalisation

PTI| Updated: Jan 01, 2020, 04.33 PM IST

Negotiations were held across several sectors including goods, services, rules of origin, technical barriers to trade and sanitary and phyto-sanitary measures, trade remedies and dispute settlement. In a free trade agreement, two trading partners cut or eliminate duties on majority of goods besides liberalising norms to promote services trade and boost investments.

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The bilateral trade between the countries increased marginally to USD 1.2 billion in 2018-19 from USD 1.1 billion in 2017-18.

New Delhi: The proposed free trade agreement between India and Mauritius is nearing finalisation as both the sides have concluded the negotiations for the pact, the commerce ministry said on Wednesday. The proposed India-Mauritius Comprehensive Economic Cooperation and Partnership Agreement (CECPA) seeks to mutually benefit both the countries in the area of trade in goods and services, it said in a statement.

Negotiations were held across several sectors including goods, services, rules of origin, technical barriers to trade and sanitary and phyto-sanitary measures, trade remedies and dispute settlement.

"India-Mauritius CECPA negotiations for trade in goods and trade in services, have been completed. The agreement is near finalisation," it said.

In a free trade agreement, two trading partners cut or eliminate duties on majority of goods besides liberalising norms to promote services trade and boost investments.

Mauritius was the second top source of foreign direct investment (FDI) into India in 2018-19. India received USD 8 billion (about Rs 56,000 crore) foreign inflows from the country.

The bilateral trade between the countries increased marginally to USD 1.2 billion in 2018-19 from USD 1.1 billion in 2017-18.

India exports petroleum products, pharmaceuticals, cereals, cotton and electrical machinery, apparel and clothing accessories to Mauritius.

The island nation's exports to New Delhi include iron and steel, pearls, precious/semi-precious stones and optical, photographic and precision instruments.

It also said that in order to promote India-Africa trade and economic relations, the ministry regularly reviews trade ties through institutional mechanisms like Joint Commission Meetings, Joint Trade Committees and Joint Working Groups.

India-Mauritius FTA nears finalisation
 
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India Delivers 30,000 Doses Of “MR” Vaccine Within 72 Hours To Maldives

January 23, 2020
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India has delivered 30,00 doses of Measles and Rubella (MR) vaccine to Maldives. Maldives Government had requested India for MR Vaccine after the outbreak of measles disease in Maldives. India responded to emergency request of Maldives and Supplied 30,000 doses of Measles and Rubella (MR) vaccine within 72 hours of the request.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1220320405849702400

Maldives wanted this MR Vaccine as soon as possible due to outbreak of Measles. First, Maldives approached the Denmark which was willing to supply it in one month’s time. After this, Maldives approached UNICEF (United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund) which said It will deliver in four weeks.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1220354440718254080

At last, Maldives approached Indian Embassy in the afternoon of 20 January, 2019 and India agreed to deliver this vaccine. On 23rd January, India delivered the 30,000 doses of Measles-Rubella (MR) vaccine to Maldives within 72 hours.

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Measles and Rubella (MR) Vaccine Delivered by India

Maldives government thanked the India for this generous donation of Thirty Thousand Measles and Rubella (MR) vaccine to assist the Health sector of Maldives.

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Acknowledgement Certificate Given by Health Ministry of Maldives

What is Measles and Rubella (MR) vaccine ?

Measles is a major childhood disease and rubella leads to lifelong birth defects. Both diseases have no cure, but can be prevented by taking the Measles-Rubella vaccine.
 
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Measles Outbreak Fear: India’s Shot In The Arm For The Maldives

January 24, 2020
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Indian and Maldivian officials in Malé announcing the arrival of 30,000 Measles/Rubella vaccines sent by India.

NEW DELHI: With the Wuhan coronavirus outbreak fueling global fears and following a deadly outbreak of measles since October in Pacific countries and the Democratic Republic of Congo, India has quietly but speedily acted on an emergency request from the Maldives. 30,000 doses of the Measles/Rubella vaccine were obtained from the Serum Institute, Pune and handed over to the Maldives within 72 hours of the request. The Maldivian government had also approached Denmark, which said it would take a month. Even the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) said it would take it four weeks to provide the vaccines.


Indian envoy Sunjay Sudhir (right) with Maldives’ Health Minister Abdullah Ameen.

In June 2017, The World Health Organisation (WHO) verified the Maldives as having eliminated measles. Though there has been no indigenous case of measles since 2009, the government suspects an outbreak after four positive cases were reported last week. Pacific countries like Samoa, which has a population of about 200,000, is recovering from a measles outbreak since October 2019, which killed 83 people, mostly babies.

Earlier this month, the WHO said over 6,000 people had been killed in the Democratic Republic of Congo which declared an epidemic in June last year. The US Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also published a Level 1 Travel Alert on January 3 saying: “Measles outbreaks are occurring around the world. Before you travel internationally, regardless of where you are going, make sure you are protected fully against measles”.

In November last year, the Maldivian Parliament passed a new child protection law, which among other things makes it illegal for parents to not vaccinate their children on religious or other grounds.


Measles vaccines sent by India to the Maldives.

Dr Ahmed Faisal, a child specialist at the Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital in the Malé has been warning of the danger of an outbreak since early January and urging people to get vaccinated. After India’s quick intervention, Maldives Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid tweeted “Thank the Government of India and Ambassador Sunjay Sudhir for the swift response to the Maldives’ request for measles vaccination by delivering it in under 72 hours.”

Maldivian Health Minister Abdullah Ameen acknowledges India’s donation of 30,000 measles vaccines.

India has been the first responder to emergencies in the Maldives for over three decades. In 2015, India airlifted water and sent a Reverse Osmosis plant and other supplies by ship in response to a water crisis in Malé. Immediate assistance was rushed after the 2004 tsunami. New Delhi also foiled an attempted coup in 1988 by sending paratroopers in response to a SOS from then President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom.

https://stratnewsglobal.com/measles-outbreak-fear-indias-shot-in-the-arm-for-the-maldives/
 
India To Provide Maldives National Defence Force With Protective Gear: Maldivian Defence Minister

Monday, February 10, 2020
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India as an act of goodwill had supplied Advanced Dhruv Helicopters to Maldives

During an official visit to India which commenced on February 3, Minister of Defence Mariya Ahmed Didi held discussions with Indian counterparts on providing Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) with protective gear for hazardous situations.

Minister Mariya discussed the need for protective gear in a meeting with Indian Minister of Defence Rajnath Singh, speaking of military personnel's safety regarding the recent outbreak of novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) that originated in Wuhan City, China.

Currently, MNDF personnel is handling the transportation of suspected cases of the virus. The Maldivian individual suspected for carrying the virus was quarantined on January 31 by an MNDF team in safety suits and masks.

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Minister Mariya and General Shamal before departing on the official visit to India

During the defence minister's trip to India, Minister Mariya also met with generals and doctors of the Indian military's Medical Corps, with whom she discussed standard operating procedures of isolation centres established in response to the virus outbreak and acquiring protective gear for military personnel in charge of evacuating suspected cases.

Talking to Indian media after these meetings, Minister Mariya stated that last year was a successful year in the military sector for both countries, adding that Maldives and India both had plans to further strengthen cooperation in the area.

Furthermore, the minister expressed interest in acquiring another vessel similar to 'CGS Kaamiyaabu' gifted by the Indian military in December 2019.

According to the Minister, she received a "positive signal" from the Indian government over the matter. She also iterated that India was always ready to cooperate with Maldives on any front.

Since President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih assumed office in November 2018, bilateral relations between Maldives and India have continued to improve.

India to provide MNDF with protective gear: defence minister
 
JSC signs MoU with India to train Maldivian judges
Judicial Service Commission (JSC), on Tuesday, signed an MoU with the National Judicial Academy of India to provide training opportunities for Maldivian judges.

The signing took place at a ceremony held at the academy, located in Bhopal, India. JSC's President Hisaan Hussain signed the MoU on behalf of Maldives, while Director Justice Goda Raghuram signed from the academy.

According to JSC, the MoU will grant the opportunity for 200 judges to further their education and experience.

Noting that this was the first time JSC signed such an MoU, Hisaan thanked the Indian government, noting that the MoU provided a golden opportunity for the Maldivian judiciary.

During the ceremony, Thulhaadhoo MP Hisaan further spoke about the types of training that can be provided to court employees, in addition to the judges, as well.
JSC signs MoU with India to train Maldivian judges
India gifts vehicles to Male' City Council for development projects
High Commissioner of India to Maldives Sunjay Sudhir, on Wednesday, handed over vehicles to Male' City Council for development projects.

According to the Indian High Commission, the vehicles worth MVR 8 million were purchased through an Indian grant.

The vehicles were gifted as part of the 16 different grant projects being funded by India under the small grants scheme across various islands of Maldives.

Other projects include:

- Construction of classrooms at Lhohi, Noonu Atoll and Kinolhas, Raa Atoll

- Establishing ice plants at Maduvvari, Meemu Atoll and Gaafaru, Kaafu Atoll

- Developing emergency health services at Dharavandhoo, Baa Atoll

- Coastal erosion project at Rasdhoo, Alif Alif Atoll

- Providing vehicles for Maldives Correctional Services

- Infrastructure and equipment for Special Education Needs children at schools in Kulhudhufushi, Haa Dhaalu Atoll and Fuvahmulah

- Infrastructure and equipment for Fiyavathi, the state orphanage located in reclaimed suburb Hulhumale'

- Upgrade of Maldives Police Service's training academy in Vaani, Dhaalu Atoll

- Establishing a community centre in Foakaidhoo, Shaviyani Atoll

- Commencing student ferry between Fehendhoo and Goidhoo of Baa Atoll

- Setting up of open-air gyms on 61 islands

Noting that the Ukulhas Convention Centre has now been completed, the High Commission expressed that they "look forward to the early completion of the other projects under the Indian small grants scheme".
India gifts vehicles to Male' City Council for development projects
 
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