The last budget of the second term of the Modi government at the Center was presented on Thursday. However, this was the interim budget of the government. On one hand, in this budget, a big announcement was made regarding Lakshadweep. At the same time, the financial aid given to Maldives was cut.
As the Finance Minister of the country, Nirmala Sitharaman presented the budget in Parliament for the sixth consecutive time on Thursday. Presenting the interim budget, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said that the government will lay full emphasis on improving the infrastructure of the Union Territory of Lakshadweep to develop it as a tourist destination.
Presenting the interim budget for the financial year 2024-25, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said, “To meet the growing enthusiasm of the people towards domestic tourism, port connectivity, tourism infrastructure and amenities will be improved in our other island groups including Lakshadweep.” Projects will be started for this. This will also help in generating employment.”
The Government of India has proposed to cut the economic assistance given to Maldives by 22 percent in the budget for 2024-2025. The Government of India has allocated Rs 600 crore for the development works of Maldives. India ranks third in financial assistance given to Maldives by any government.
In fact, in 2023-2024, India provided financial assistance of Rs 770.90 crore to Maldives. This is more than 300 percent more than the Rs 183.16 crore given to Maldives in 2022-2023.
It has been proposed to cut the financial assistance by 22 percent. The Government of India has allocated Rs 600 crore for development work in Maldives. India ranks third in financial assistance given to Maldives by any government.
In fact, in 2023-2024, India has given an import of Rs 770.90 crore to Maldives.
Financial aid to many other countries also reduced
However, not only Maldives but the government has also reduced the financial assistance given to many other countries by 10 percent. India has set aside an amount of Rs 4883.56 crore for aid to foreign countries for 2024-2025.
At the same time, amid the ongoing tension with Maldives, the Government of India made a big announcement regarding Lakshadweep in the interim budget of 2024. Presenting the interim budget on Thursday, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said that the government will lay full emphasis on improving the infrastructure of the Union Territory of Lakshadweep to develop it as a tourist destination. Apart from this, the government will make significant investments in the tourism sector across the country.
How did the tension between India and Maldives start?
Recently, after Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Lakshadweep, three ministers of the Maldives government had made objectionable comments on some pictures of PM Modi’s visit. Since then the diplomatic dispute between the two countries deepened. After the controversy over the matter escalated, these three ministers were suspended.
Amidst this tension between the two countries, Maldivian President Muizzoo had gone on a five-day state visit to China. After returning from this tour, Muizzu is continuously targeting India.
As soon as Muizzu returned to Maldives, he had bluntly said that no one has the license to bully us. He had said that we may be a small country but that does not give anyone a license to bully us. However, Muizzu has not given this statement directly by taking anyone’s name. But it is believed that their target is towards India.
After this, Muizzu had asked India to withdraw its troops from Maldives before March 15. Let us tell you that Muizzu, who is considered a supporter of China, had met President Xi Jinping during his five-day visit to China. His visit took place at a time when three ministers of the Maldives government were suspended for making objectionable remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. There is an increasing diplomatic dispute between India and Maldives regarding this matter.
