Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Monday that India and Maldives, as close friends and neighbours, will continue to support each other in their fight against the health and economic impact of COVID-19. India has provided financial assistance of $250 million to the Maldives to help it mitigate the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
India has always risen to the occasion whenever Maldives needed a friend. My sincere thanks to PM @narendramodi , government and people of India for their neighborly spirit and generosity following the official handover of USD250 million as financial assistance today.
— Ibrahim Mohamed Solih (@ibusolih) September 20, 2020
Modi was responding to a tweet by Maldives President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih in which he expressed his thanks to the prime minister for India's financial assistance to his country.
"India has always risen to the occasion whenever Maldives needed a friend. My sincere thanks to PM @narendramodi , government and people of India for their neighborly spirit and generosity following the official handover of $250 million as financial assistance today," Solih said.
Modi replied, "Appreciate your warm sentiments, president @ibusolih! As close friends and neighbours, India and Maldives will continue to support each other in our fight against the health and economic impact of COVID-19."
The grant, provided under the most favourable terms possible, was in response to the request made by Solih to overcome the difficult economic situation in the Maldives. A handover ceremony was held on Sunday at the ministry of foreign affairs, government of Maldives, to mark the occasion.
