- 6 days ago
In this episode of World Today, the focus is on Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's two-day state visit to the Maldives, the first hosted by President Mohamed Muizzu's government.
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00:00Hello and welcome, I am Pranayupadhyay and you are watching World Today.
00:19Prime Minister Narendra Modi concludes his two-day visit to the United Kingdom with India signing a major deal with Britain.
00:25India and the United Kingdom has signed the Free Trade Agreement, the most important deal with after Brexit.
00:32And then he arrived in Maldives.
00:34Prime Minister Modi, who is on a two-day state visit to Maldives, landed in Mali and was greeted by Maldives President Mohamed Moizu along with his senior cabinet colleagues.
00:44Prime Minister Modi is first state guest being hosted by President Moizu after he assumed office in 2023.
00:50Prime Minister Modi will also be the guest of honour on Maldives' 60th Independence Day on July 26th.
00:58Moizu came into power with the India Out campaign.
01:01This campaign was launched to protest against India's defence personnel in Maldives.
01:05After coming to power, Moizu had set a deadline of May 10, 2024 for the complete withdrawal of Indian military personnel.
01:13India did withdraw its personnel before the deadline, but this decision scarred the relationship.
01:18Moizu is also considered pro-China.
01:21But what has changed now?
01:23Prime Minister Modi and President Moizu first met on the sidelines of UN COP28's climate summit of Dubai in December 2023.
01:31But the relationship remained frosty.
01:34The direct reflection was the decrease of Indian tourists visiting Maldives.
01:38Tourism is the backbone of Maldives' economy, and India is the biggest source of tourists for this island nation.
01:44As a result, Maldives' economy took a hit, and this made Moizu government to revisit the India policy and change its stance.
01:52India stood by Maldives in extended financial assistance.
01:55The $400 million currency swap from the Reserve Bank of India and the $100 million treasury bond subscription from the State Bank of India has helped to stabilise the economy of Maldives.
02:06India was also the first country to recognise established diplomatic relations with Maldives after its independence in year 1965.
02:15India always stood with Maldives in testing times.
02:18With Operation Cactus in 1988, India sent its commando troops to thwart a coup to overthrow the then-government of President Mamoun Abdul-Gayyum.
02:27The Maldives is also a crucial ally in India's maritime security strategy.
02:31Its strategic location is close to many important shipping lanes.
02:36Therefore, India has always invested in the development of Maldives.
02:40India's assistance in housing projects, infrastructure construction have also helped to improve the bilateral ties.
02:46But a war of words on X started when Prime Minister Modi posted about Lakshadweep in January 2024 and encouraged Indians to explore their own country.
02:56This post of Prime Minister Modi drew bitter comments from Maldivian politicians.
03:03This led to the hashtag, boycott Maldives movement.
03:06In year 2024, Indian tourists' arrival to Maldives fell by approximately 42% compared to the previous year.
03:14India, which had been the top source of market for Maldivian tourism.
03:19Prime Minister Modi and President Moizu had one-on-one talks for about 40 minutes today.
03:24Later, both the leaders inaugurated several India-assisted development projects.
03:29After the India-Maldiv summit, following MOUs have also been signed between the two countries.
03:34Agreement for an LOC, a line of credit, of Rs. 4,850 crores to Maldives.
03:41A mandatory agreement on reducing the annual debt repayment obligations of Maldives on Government of India-funded line of credits.
03:49An MOU on cooperation in the field of fisheries and agriculture and aquaculture was also signed.
03:56A launch of India-Maldives free trade agreement negotiations was also agreed during these talks.
04:03Agreement between India's International Payment Limited and Maldivian Monetary Authority on UPI payment mechanism in Maldives was also agreed and signed.
04:11India delivered Maldives the following development projects, India's gift to Maldives.
04:19India handed over around 3,300 social housing units in Hulhu, Malay.
04:24Inauguration of roads and drainage system projects in Adu City.
04:28Also, inauguration of six high-impact community development projects was also concluded.
04:33Also, India handed over around 72 vehicles and other equipment to Maldivian Defence Ministry.
04:41Maldives is also dedicated to the status of Maldives.
04:47I am also pleased to announce the initiation of negotiations
05:16for a free trade agreement between India and the Maldives.
05:20This landmark initiative marks a significant step forward
05:24in strengthening our economic partnership.
05:28We appreciate the pivotal role played by India in supporting the Maldives
05:33to manage economic and liquidity challenges
05:36through the $400 million currency swap facility
05:40and interest-free one-year rollover of the Treasury Bill in May 2025.
05:47India's continued assistance to the Maldives
05:49through the export of essential commodities
05:52is a key facet of our bilateral cooperation
05:55under the long-standing trade agreement.
05:58And we are getting a breaking news.
06:06President Mohamed Moizu of Maldives has hosted an official banquet
06:10for Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
06:12And during that banquet, President Moizu said that,
06:15let me convey my heartfelt, my heartiest congratulations to Your Excellency
06:19on becoming the second longest-serving Prime Minister of India.
06:23Because today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has exceeded the record
06:26of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi
06:28of serving as India's Prime Minister for the longest time.
06:31And this remarkable milestone of 4,078 consecutive days in office
06:37is a testament to your unwavering commitment to public service
06:41and dedication to the progress and prosperity of the people of India.
06:45So, President Mohamed Moizu also acknowledged
06:47this achievement of Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the banquet
06:50he hosted for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his delegation
06:53because Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his delegation is there in Malay.
06:57And today, both the nations concluded many MOUs,
07:02they signed many MOUs and many projects has also been concluded.
07:06Let's listen in to what President Mohamed Moizu has to say.
07:10Excellency, first of all, let me convey my heartiest congratulations
07:15to Your Excellency on becoming the second longest-serving Prime Minister of India today.
07:24This remarkable milestone for 1,078 consecutive days in office
07:31is a testament to Your unwavering commitment to public service
07:35and dedication to the progress and prosperity of the Indian people.
07:41Wishing Your Excellency continued success as You lead India towards greater heights.
07:46Now, we are being joined by Ahmed Adi, former Vice President of Maldives
07:51to discuss the various facets of India-Maldives' relation.
07:55Welcome to the world today.
07:57Sir, my first question to you would be Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ongoing visit to Maldives.
08:02It is a very significant one, we all know.
08:04And he is visiting Maldives as a first foreign head of government
08:07under President Mohamed Moizu's government.
08:09With the tensions from India Out campaign in the past,
08:12how do you see this visit helping to rebuild and strengthen the ties between India and Maldives?
08:21So, thank you very much for having me here.
08:24Yes, Prime Minister Modi has visited officially as a state visit,
08:29plus it coincides with our 60th Independence Day,
08:33and he is the chief guest of honour for the occasion.
08:40So, I would say this is a historical milestone achieved.
08:43I believe that things started very rocky during the first few months of the current government.
08:52But as you remember, I was always an advocate of India-Maldives' relationship,
08:57how it will get better in future.
08:59Because I was from the same party, I understand the mentality of everyone.
09:04So, this India Out campaign was solely started with President Yamin,
09:08who was the ex-president and former president of the party.
09:12So, President Moizu and him had a fallout.
09:15But President Moizu inherited that India Out campaign.
09:20But I would say with experience, with the fact that India has been always there for us.
09:26And I think government has learned by their experience that it is always India that comes out for us.
09:34And I think they have changed their foreign policy.
09:38And I would say now they are in the right direction.
09:41So, Prime Minister Modi's visit is, I would say, very historical.
09:45Definitely, it can be termed as a reality check for the Moizu government.
09:50But, Mr. Adip, you have described the India-Maldives relationship as a milestone partnership
09:55and highlighted India's support during the tough times of Maldives.
09:59What key areas, like economic health, maritime security or infrastructure projects,
10:04do you think Prime Minister Modi's visit could focus on and take this partnership to next level?
10:09Yes, I would say it's very important for us to align the foreign policy that we have always practiced,
10:22that is, India first policy, and them balancing out other partners.
10:27So, every small state like Maldives and other countries, they have a strategic partner
10:32and then they balance out other countries.
10:35So, I would say India has been always our strategic partner.
10:39It's not only by the relations, it's by the proximity.
10:44Together, we are safeguarding the peace and harmony of Indian Ocean.
10:50And also, we believe in the global south policy of India.
10:54And with India, I would say it's very important to strengthen the ties
10:58and also strengthen the defence agreements we have together, go forward with it,
11:04and as well as introduce the development part, the economic part of it,
11:09which India has become, I would say, the biggest infrastructure investment contributor
11:14for the last, I would say, seven years.
11:17India has contributed a lot.
11:19And I would say, this trip will be fruitful for more agreements.
11:24So, I would say, with India going for a five trillion economy under visionary leader of Prime Minister Modi,
11:35I think Maldives can go hand to hand with India in this rise.
11:40So, there are many, many areas of collaboration, like the trade, like the youth, technology, innovation,
11:48technology transfer and trainings, you know, so many areas.
11:52But, Mr. Adip, if my memory serves me right, then last year, you pointed out that the Mojizu government's
11:58late response to some of the derogatory remarks about Prime Minister Modi that caused a diplomatic stare.
12:04In your opinion, how the current government is doing in terms of rebuilding the trust with India
12:08and what steps should they be taking to balance their foreign policy?
12:12So, you are right.
12:19At the time, I was criticizing my government as well.
12:22But I've seen that India was very mature, you know, very patient.
12:28And they didn't react.
12:29They just let it go.
12:30And they're also, with this gesture, I think the government of Maldives has also learned by their experience,
12:37as I previously mentioned.
12:39So, they have learned as well as they have done their moves, I would say, correctly in this change of foreign policy,
12:49in this change of relations.
12:50And going forward, I would say we all need to be very sincere because it's not only in time of need,
12:58but in good times also, we have to be together.
13:01And if we are together and if we align a strategy, you cannot just change around strategic partners
13:08because strategic partners are not, not everyone is going to give you the importance.
13:15Because since we have historical ties and time and time again, India has proved that that has been always there for Maldives.
13:24I would say we have to strengthen it in a way that it will be always there, no matter whichever government comes.
13:30That sincerity and going forward, that motivation should be there, I would say.
13:38You're absolutely right, Mr. Adip, that India has always been a time-tested friend for Maldives.
13:42But my final question to you would be that what are the big expectations from people of Maldives
13:46for this visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the future trajectory of India-Maldives bilateral relations?
13:56So people of Maldives has always learned we have so much common in our culture, our cuisine, our Hindi,
14:05the Bollywood movies, everything.
14:07So Maldives people had never had any, I would say, anti-sentiments against India.
14:14It was all a political thing.
14:16So as you know, we go most of our medications to even India.
14:21So even during the COVID crisis, Prime Minister Modi opened a special gateway for Maldivesians to go there
14:28and Indians to come to Maldives.
14:30So likewise, Maldivesians have a very good affinity to India, with India.
14:36So going forward, I would like to say that what India and Maldives can do together is
14:43they are already helping Maldives by restructuring the debt, by delaying some of the payments.
14:53And I would say we need to find a long-term solution where even a small gesture from India,
15:01like a free trade agreement, like a double taxation treaty, or economic balance,
15:08where we can go forward with India and also accessible to the markets.
15:14I would say very successfully, India has done a very successful free trade agreement with UK just now.
15:20So how we can also do something like that, and also together how we can,
15:26because Maldives is just a 500,000 people population, small country, just neighbor.
15:31So even a very small structuring or agreement can benefit a lot.
15:37You know, our GDP can go very high, very quickly because our population is so small.
15:41So I would say if we can come up with something for long-term,
15:46so good ties with defense and economy, that we all depend on each other,
15:51I think it will be a great solution going forward.
15:55Thank you very much, Ahmed Adib, former Vice President of Maldives,
16:00for sharing all these perspectives with our viewers.
16:03And now, moving on to another big story.
16:05Pakistan's Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir met China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing.
16:10Post-Operation Sindhu, this is Munir's first visit to China,
16:14while Pakistan's Foreign Minister Ishak Dar is in Washington, D.C.,
16:18for his meeting with the U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
16:22Wang Yi, during the meeting with Pakistani Army Chief,
16:24raised the issue of safety of Chinese nationals working on various projects in Pakistan.
16:30Munir assured Wang Yi that all necessary measures would be taken to ensure the safety of Chinese personnel.
16:36During their meeting, Wang Yi said that the Pakistan military
16:39was a staunch defender of national interest and reiterated that the nations were ironclad friends
16:46and all-weather strategic partners.
16:48In a subtle message to India,
16:50Wang Yi reaffirmed that China would always prioritize Pakistan in its neighboring diplomacy.
16:56Earlier this year,
16:58China, in an unprecedented move,
17:00deployed private security personnel in Pakistan
17:02for the safety of its projects and nationals.
17:05The development came amid a series of attacks by Balooch militants on Pakistani soldiers
17:11as well as on Chinese nationals,
17:14rattling China as it was invested heavily in various China-Pakistan economic corridor projects.
17:20Munir, on his part, said that friendly cooperation with China
17:23was the consensus of the whole Pakistani society
17:26and thanked Beijing for its support on economic and social development in Pakistan.
17:35Moving on, let me tell you
17:37that tensions are once again flaring between Thailand and Cambodia.
17:41That is also a big concern for the global conflict zone
17:45because Thailand and Cambodia are fighting at each other.
17:49At the heart of this conflict is around 900-year-old Prevyar temple,
17:56a symbol of cultural pride and a flashpoint of territorial dispute.
18:00The intense fighting involving various weaponry
18:02has resulted in at least 14 fatalities and has displaced thousands.
18:08It has also marked the most serious confrontation in over a decade.
18:11Take a look at this report.
18:13Thailand and Cambodia are in a war-like situation,
18:20hitting military targets and leading to casualties.
18:25At the centre of the border dispute is this 900-year-old Prevyar temple,
18:31a Hindu shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva,
18:34perched on a 525-metre cliff in Cambodia's Dangrek Mountains.
18:38Built under the Khmer Empire,
18:42a religious site for not just Cambodians but also their Thai neighbours.
18:47Roughly 95 kilometres to the west
18:49lies the Ta-Mu-in-Thom temple,
18:52a 12th century Shiva shrine.
18:54These cluster of temples are the reason for latest clashes.
18:59The Khmer archaeological complex built by King Jayavarman VII
19:04is made of standstone, features a shivaling and also hosts Buddhist sites too.
19:10But how has an ancient temple ignited border tensions between two countries?
19:15The border conflict has been on since a century now.
19:20In 1907, French-drawn map placed the temple in French Protectorate of Cambodia.
19:25In 1962, the International Court of Justice ruled in favour of Cambodia
19:30when the matter reached the court.
19:32Thailand was ordered to withdraw the troops
19:34and return any artefacts that were removed after 1954.
19:39In 2013, after renewed clashes,
19:41the ICJ granted sovereignty not just to the temple
19:44but to the surrounding area in Cambodia.
19:48Cambodia's push for the UNESCO site tag to the temples
19:51also triggered the Thai opposition.
19:54The Thai government claimed that Cambodia deployed drones recently
19:58to conduct surveillance of Thai troops near the temple
20:01and that led eventually to the military strikes.
20:06The latest clashes mark the most violent escalation in over a decade,
20:10leaving at least 12 dead, dozens wounded and forcing mass evacuations.
20:15The bloody conflict shows how a colonial era border demarcation
20:20has brought two Southeast nations at a warring stage.
20:24Bureau Report, India Today.
20:29Moving on to another conflict zone.
20:32French President Emmanuel Macron has said
20:34that his country will officially recognise the Palestinian state.
20:38This comes as a time when the death toll due to starvation is surging
20:42and Israel continues to block the aid to Gazans.
20:45Two days after WHO chief said that Gazans are facing man-made mass starvation,
21:00French President Emmanuel Macron, in a sudden announcement on X,
21:04said that France will recognise Palestinian state in September.
21:08France becomes the first member of the UNSC and the G7 nations to do so.
21:16This comes amid the deaths of thousands of Gazans who were killed
21:21while seeking food at aid centres.
21:25This move by France is seen by many as a bold one.
21:30Now the pressure is mounting on the other European nations to follow suit.
21:34But Macron's announcement has found opposing voices from Israel
21:39and its staunch Western ally, the United States.
21:42The US has strongly rejected French President's plan,
21:46calling it a reckless decision.
21:48While focus is on the other European nations,
21:51Britain welcomes the announcement,
21:53but say ceasefire is now the top priority.
21:57We've got to act with every word we use,
22:00international support,
22:02to get the food and the support
22:04into starving people who are starving in Gaza
22:07and suffering in Gaza today.
22:09But we will not forget the diplomatic challenges that we have
22:12and the diplomatic efforts that will be needed
22:13to deliver the statehood that they need,
22:16that Palestine needs,
22:17and that Israel needs when it comes to its security.
22:20This can only be delivered by a diplomatic solution.
22:23We need the ceasefire.
22:24We are calling for a ceasefire.
22:27Palestinians have welcomed the decision,
22:29though Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said
22:32that the move rewards terror
22:34following Hamas attack on October 7th.
22:36We wish to have a Palestinian state
22:43and the decision that France has taken is a bold decision.
22:47However, will other countries that control the world
22:50accept this brave decision?
22:52We want every person to call on every nation,
22:55every country.
22:56If France has given us the decision,
22:58it's a brave decision.
23:00It must rally and mobilize on its matter
23:02and not be alone in this picture.
23:06On the one hand,
23:11as Palestinians hope that France can rally other nations
23:15to achieve a separate statehood,
23:17a failed talk between Israel and Hamas in Doha
23:20makes it a distant dream.
23:23In a post on X,
23:24President Trump's special envoy for peace missions,
23:27Steve Witkopf, said
23:28the U.S. team was returning home
23:30as Hamas showed a lack of desire
23:33to reach a ceasefire in Gaza.
23:36The state of Palestine is recognized
23:37by more than 140 of the 193 member states in the UN.
23:43Spain and Ireland are a few EU countries
23:45to recognize Palestine.
23:47British MPs on the Foreign Affairs Committee
23:50called for the immediate recognition
23:52of the state of Palestine.
23:54Saudi Arabia also welcomed the decision.
23:56Now let's talk about another big story.
24:07U.S. President Donald Trump
24:09and Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell
24:11sparred face-to-face over the cost of renovations
24:14of the central bank's Washington headquarters
24:16with the federal leader saying
24:18that the president was wrong
24:19about the cost of the overall.
24:22Trump standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Powell
24:24as both wore construction helmets
24:26said that the Fed renovation costs
24:28had jumped from $2.7 billion
24:31to $3.1 billion
24:33causing the Fed chief to say
24:34I am not aware about that
24:35to which Trump replied
24:38that it just came out.
24:40And Powell again responded
24:41to that thing, that comment
24:43and he questioned
24:44where the president's number had come from
24:46as it did not come from the central bank.
24:49Powell then noted that
24:50it appeared that the president
24:52had included the current cost
24:54of fixing up two buildings
24:56what it costs to overall
24:57another central bank office.
24:59While standing next to Trump
25:01Jerome Powell said
25:02that he didn't anticipate
25:04any more cost overruns
25:05but the Fed's has resolved
25:07to deal with them if needed.
25:11We're taking a look
25:12and it looks like it's about $3.1 billion
25:15went up a little bit
25:16or a lot
25:17so the $2.7 is now $3.1
25:21and I'm not aware of that.
25:23Yeah, it just came out.
25:25Yeah, I haven't heard that
25:26from anybody at the Fed.
25:28Yeah, it just came out.
25:33Aren't those at about $3.1 as well?
25:35$3.1.
25:36$3.2.
25:36This came from us?
25:38Yes.
25:39I don't know who does that.
25:43You're including
25:43the Martin renovation.
25:44You just added
25:45That's our entire capital plan.
25:46You just added in
25:47a third building
25:48is what that is.
25:49That's a third building.
25:49It's a building
25:51that's being built.
25:52No, it was built
25:53five years ago.
25:54We finished Martin
25:55five years ago.
25:56It's part of the overall work.
25:58It's not new.
26:00So we're going to take a look.
26:02We're going to see
26:03what's happening
26:03and it's got a long way.
26:06Do you expect
26:07any more additional
26:08cost overruns?
26:09Don't expect them.
26:11We're ready for them.
26:13And now let's see
26:15what else is making news
26:16across the globe
26:17in World Data Clans.
26:18According to the
26:29Wall Street Journal,
26:30former U.S. President
26:31Bill Clinton
26:32wrote a letter
26:33to late financer
26:34and convicted
26:35sex offender
26:36Jeffrey Epstein
26:37on one of his birthdays.
26:39Meanwhile,
26:40a senior U.S.
26:41Justice Department
26:42official says
26:43he will resume
26:44his questioning
26:44of Jeffrey Epstein's
26:46long-time associate
26:47Ghislaine Maxwell.
26:49After the first meeting
26:50on Thursday,
26:51that was described
26:52as very productive
26:53by Maxwell's lawyer.
26:55The Federal Communications Commission
26:59approved the merger
27:00between Paramount Global
27:02and Skydance Media,
27:04clearing the way
27:05for an $8.4 billion sale
27:07for some of the most prominent names
27:10in entertainment,
27:11including the CBS Broadcast Television Network,
27:14Paramount Pictures
27:15and the Nickelodeon Cable Channel.
27:17The FCC agreed
27:19to transfer broadcast licenses
27:20for 28 owned
27:22and operated
27:23CBS television stations
27:25to the new owners
27:26after Paramount paid
27:27$16 billion
27:28to settle a lawsuit
27:30filed by U.S. President
27:31Donald Trump
27:32over a 60-minute interview
27:34with former Vice President
27:36Kamala Harris
27:37that aired in October.
27:38Iranians marched
27:42through the streets
27:43of Tehran
27:44following Friday prayers
27:45in support
27:46of Palestinians
27:47facing starvation
27:48in Gaza.
27:50Protesters waved
27:51Palestinian flags
27:52and chanted
27:53anti-Israeli
27:54and anti-American
27:55slogans
27:56at the demonstration.
27:58Some criticized
27:59the perceived inaction
28:00by Arab
28:01and Islamic states
28:02to help Gaza
28:03while others say
28:04they would support
28:06a renewed conflict
28:07between Iran
28:08and Israel
28:08to aid the Palestinians.
28:13Chinese Foreign Minister
28:14Wang Yi
28:15met his Secretary General
28:16of the Association
28:17of Southeast Asian Nations
28:19in Beijing.
28:20Wang, also a member
28:21of the Political Bureau
28:22of the Communist Party
28:23of China Central Committee
28:25said that China
28:26consistently prioritizes
28:28ASEAN
28:29in its neighborhood
28:30diplomacy
28:30and supports ASEAN
28:32in playing a greater role
28:34in international
28:34and regional affairs.
28:36Guided by the Central Conference
28:38on work related
28:39to neighboring countries
28:40held in April this year,
28:42China will work
28:43with ASEAN member states
28:44to build a closer
28:46China-ASEAN community
28:47with a shared future,
28:49he said.
28:51And this is all we have
28:53in today's edition
28:54of World Today.
28:55For more news,
28:56do watch India Today Global
28:57and take care.
28:59Good night.
29:06We'll be back at Park
29:08until the next century.
29:08Looking forward to the program.
29:09See you at the next week.
29:10Take care.
29:10First we could take care.
29:11We're moving forward to the future.
29:12We'll be moving forward to
29:13that since during the first week's
29:13time.
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