Maldives FM 'delighted' as India agrees to resume visa-free travel for islanders

Maldives Foreign Minister Abdullah Shahid on Sunday, October 10, expressed delight after India agreed to resume 2018 December Visa Exemption Agreement between two countries that allow Maldivians to travel India without a visa. 

2018 December Visa Exemption Agreement between Maldives and India was temporarily suspended amid COVID-19-triggered border closure. Taking to Twitter on Sunday, Shahid informed that from mid-October, Maldivian nationals will t require visas for tourists, medical and business purposes. He also thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar for considering Maldives’ request to resume agreement.

"Delighted that India has agreed to resume 2018 Dec Visa Exemption Agreement between Maldives & India, which was temporarily suspended due to COVID-19 border closure. From 15 Oct 2021, Maldivian Nationals will be exempt of visa requirements for tourists, medical & business purposes," Shahid tweeted.

A separate anuncement was me by High Commission of India in Maldives on Twitter saying that visa will be required from mid-October for Maldivians travelling to country. High Commission of India in Maldives stated that Maldives will be “first beneficiary” of Visa-free travel since COVID restrictions were imposed by India in March 2020 in wake of Coronavirus pandemic. 

“ VISA required from Oct 15 for Maldivians travelling to India for Medical, Business & Tourism purposes. Maldives will be 1st beneficiary of VISA FREE TRAVEL since COVID restrictions were imposed by India in Mar 2020. This move restores bilateral visa-free agreement of Dec 2018," High Commission of India in Maldives tweeted.

Shahid Calls India Champion Of Multilateralism

resumption of 2018 Dec Visa Exemption Agreement between Maldives and India came after last month, Shahid hailed his meeting with Minister of State for External Affairs Meenakshi Lekhi. Maldivian Foreign Minister said ‘very good to meet with MoS’ as both top diplomats exchanged views on 76th session of United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). At time, on 9 September, he even said, “India is a champion of multilateralism. And I am confident of India’s support to Presidency Of Hope”

IM: AP