India and Maldives Strengthen Ties
On October 7, India and Maldives took significant steps to enhance their relationship. India launched RuPay cards in Maldives to make payments easier for Indian tourists and Maldivians visiting India. Both countries agreed to open a Maldivian Consulate in Bengaluru and an Indian Consulate in Addu City.
Digital and Financial Cooperation
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu discussed ways to improve digital and financial services. India will share its expertise in digital services like the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) and Unique Digital Identity to help Maldives develop its Digital Public Infrastructure.
Cultural and Travel Connections
Both nations plan to establish an Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) Chair at the Maldives National University to strengthen cultural ties. They also aim to improve air and sea travel to boost tourism and economic activities.
Health Collaboration
India and Maldives agreed to recognize Indian pharmacopoeia and set up India-Maldives Jan Aushadhi Kendras in Maldives for affordable medicines.
President Muizzu’s Visit
President Muizzu is on a five-day visit to India, his first bilateral visit. He will visit Mumbai and Bengaluru for business events. He was warmly welcomed by President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Modi at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
Doubts Revealed
RuPay -: RuPay is an Indian payment card system, like a debit or credit card, that helps people make payments easily. It is similar to Visa or MasterCard but is made in India.
Consulates -: Consulates are offices in a foreign country that help people with things like visas and passports. They also help citizens of their own country who are living or traveling abroad.
Bengaluru -: Bengaluru is a big city in India, known for its technology industry. It is often called the ‘Silicon Valley of India’ because many tech companies are based there.
Addu City -: Addu City is a city in the Maldives, which is a group of islands in the Indian Ocean. It is one of the largest cities in the Maldives.
UPI -: UPI stands for Unified Payments Interface, a system in India that allows people to transfer money instantly between bank accounts using their mobile phones.
Pharmacopoeia -: Pharmacopoeia is a book that contains a list of medicines and their descriptions. It helps doctors and pharmacists know which medicines are safe and how to use them.
Mohamed Muizzu -: Mohamed Muizzu is the President of the Maldives, a country made up of islands in the Indian Ocean. He is visiting India to strengthen the relationship between the two countries.