India has agreed to accommodate Maldives' most pressing needs: Siyam

Leader of Maldives Development Alliance (MDA) Ahmed Siyam Mohamed has said that India has agreed to solve the most pressing needs for Maldives at this point in time.

Siyam made the statement last night at a press conference held in Male’ after accompanying President Abdulla Yameen on a three-day state visit to India.

“I have to say, the Indian Government has accommodated all pressing needs faced by Maldivians at this point in time,” Siyam said.

He described the trip as one of the most successful state visits by a Maldivian president and said that India's willingness to help is an indication that the Maldivian people's for support the new government has been thoroughly expressed.

“Indian government is willing to go forward with President Yameen,” the MDA leader said.

President Abdulla Yameen arrived back home last night after concluding the state, on the invitation of Indian President, Shri Pranab Mukherjee. In answer to the President's call, India has agreed to relieve the visa restrictions on Maldivians traveling to India and has lifted the ban on export of stone aggregate to Maldives. The Indian government has also extended a standby credit facility of $25 million and signed 3 agreements on health and foreign relations with the Maldives.