EAM Jaishankar inaugurates India-funded water and sanitation project in Maldives

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Saturday handed over a major water and sanitation project worth USD 110 million to the Maldives funded by India The project spans 28 islands Jaishankar who is in Male on a threeday official visit from August 911 virtually inaugurated the projects during the event While addressing the virtual inauguration Jaishankar stated that the development partnership between India and the Maldives is focused on meeting the needs and priorities of the Maldivian people and governmentOur development partnership is driven by the needs and priorities of the people and the Government of Maldives and is a judicious mix of grants loans budgetary support capacity building and training assistance We are now entering a phase where many of these projects are getting realized on the ground delivering tangible benefits to the common people said JaishankarFurther Jaishankar highlighted the challenges posed by climate change particularly for small island developing states like the Maldives adding emphasized the importance of addressing freshwater resource availability and access He also noted that this initiative aligns with Indias own programs Har Ghar Jal Water to Every Home and Swachha Bharat Clean IndiaIn our efforts to expand the scope and benefits of development cooperation we are mindful of the challenges posed by climate change especially for small island developing states such as the Maldives which are even more vulnerable to the vagaries of rising sea levels One of the immediate concerns is the availability and access of freshwater resources said JaishankarIt has been our objective to provide ecologically sustainable lowcost solutions to our development partners so that they are not only able to access potable water but also have the capability to treat sewage thereby protecting the delicate ecology of these islands and atolls This finds resonance in our own initiatives in India of Har Ghar Jal and Swachha Bharat ie Water to Every Home and Clean India he added This project has brought safe drinking water to so many islands to 32 islands and introduced a sewerage system in 17 islandsI am happy to note that this has directly impacted the lives of 28000 Maldivians I believe Under this project the latest technologies have been used to provide clean drinking water and safe sewerage disposal In addition the buildings are also equipped with solar energy providing support to the island grids With a total funding of USD 110 million this is the largest climate adaptation implemented in Maldives with international collaboration the EAM saidHe also expressed optimism that this project will improve the lives of women on the islands who are primarily responsible for fetching clean water It is also significant to note that the completion of this project has supplemented the Government of Maldives endeavours in reaching its Sustainable Development Goals by establishing climateresilient and costeffective water and sewerage systems I am sure that this will go a long way in improving the lives of the women on these islands who bear the primary burden of fetching clean water Jaishankar saidIndiaMaldives development cooperation embodies the motto of our partnership Imagined by Maldives Delivered by India It will be our endeavour to harness this defining feature of our relationship and scale greater heights And I hope President with your guidance and encouragement our joint efforts our joint activities and our shared vision will form an important milestone in the journey of our two nations together he addedEarlier in the day Jaishankar called on Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu on Saturday reaffirming New Delhis commitment to strengthening IndiaMaldives relations for the benefit of both nations and the wider region Maldives President Muizzu thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the government of India for always supporting the island nationHe further said that the enduring partnership between New Delhi and Male continues to bring the two nations closer through cooperation in security development and cultural exchange EAM Jaishankars visit marks his first visit to the island nation after his reappointment for the second term His visit follows the recent visit of Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu to India for the swearing ceremony of the new Cabinet and Council of MinistersThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever