New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday appreciated the sentiments expressed by Maldivian President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih after India extended a USD 250 million loan to Male to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
"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," Prime Minister Modi tweeted.
Prior to Prime Minister Modi's message, Maldives President had expressed his gratitude to the Indian government, saying the New Delhi has always risen to the occasion whenever the Maldives "needed a friend."
"India has always risen to the occasion whenever the Maldives needed a friend. My sincere thanks to PM Narendra Modi, government and people of India for their neighbourly spirit and generosity following the official handover of USD250 million as financial assistance today," Solih tweeted.
India had extended a USD 250 million loan to the Maldives government to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19, in which the State Bank of India (SBI) will subscribe to a Treasury Bond issued by the Government of Maldives with a 10-year tenor.