Even before he was sworn into office, new Maldivian President Mohamed Nasheed made a crucial telephone call. With his country facing a severe foreign exchange crisis, Nasheed last night called up Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to help the tiny nation of islands through its “economic difficulties”.The PM, it is learnt, took the call in Qatar and assured him of assistance. This could translate into a financial aid of sorts, details of which will be worked out in the coming days.Nasheed informed Vice-President Hamid Ansari, who called on him on Tuesday afternoon after the swearing-in ceremony, about the call. The fact that Nasheed called even before he took oath explains the urgency of the crisis.Ministry of External Affairs Special Secretary (Policy) Dinesh Jain, who accompanied Ansari during the meeting, said: “He talked about the economic difficulties facing the country in terms of foreign exchange reserves. The Vice-President clearly conveyed that we can help them.” These are the first desperate calls being made by the new democratically elected President of Maldives, whose economy relies overwhelmingly on tourism.
It accounts for 28 per cent of the GDP of this tiny nation of three lakh people, and more than 60 per cent of its foreign exchange receipts. In fact, over 90 per cent of government tax revenue comes from import duties and tourism-related taxes. With the global financial crisis looming large, the tourism sector in Maldives has been badly hit.
Earlier in the day, in his first presidential address, Nasheed said: “The state of the economy is a cause for concern. However, we have always worked with tenacity and determination, qualities that have enabled us to secure many achievements.” The new President has also called for India’s help in the areas of energy (especially solar energy) information technology, science and technology, health and education.Nasheed conveyed to Ansari that he wanted to privatise public enterprises, build a school and two new hospitals. He also wants to build a robust public transport system — for which he invited bids from Indian companies, besides making a general appeal to Indian businessmen to make investments.According to Indian High Commissioner in Maldives A K Pandey, Nasheed wants to “deepen and develop” ties with India, and there will be “no pause, no interruption”.Ansari also met outgoing Maldives president Maumoon Abdul Gayoom — who did not attend Nasheed’s swearing-in — and talked about his role in the democratic transition. Pandey said “there was no valedictory feel” to the meeting between Ansari and Gayoom.Nasheed’s 90-minute swearing-in ceremony — held in Maldivian parliament, the Majlis — was attended by around a thousand people, including dignitaries like Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Jordan Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein. The elaborate ceremony was accompanied by a Quran recitation and a 21-gun salute.
It accounts for 28 per cent of the GDP of this tiny nation of three lakh people, and more than 60 per cent of its foreign exchange receipts. In fact, over 90 per cent of government tax revenue comes from import duties and tourism-related taxes. With the global financial crisis looming large, the tourism sector in Maldives has been badly hit.
Earlier in the day, in his first presidential address, Nasheed said: “The state of the economy is a cause for concern. However, we have always worked with tenacity and determination, qualities that have enabled us to secure many achievements.” The new President has also called for India’s help in the areas of energy (especially solar energy) information technology, science and technology, health and education.Nasheed conveyed to Ansari that he wanted to privatise public enterprises, build a school and two new hospitals. He also wants to build a robust public transport system — for which he invited bids from Indian companies, besides making a general appeal to Indian businessmen to make investments.According to Indian High Commissioner in Maldives A K Pandey, Nasheed wants to “deepen and develop” ties with India, and there will be “no pause, no interruption”.Ansari also met outgoing Maldives president Maumoon Abdul Gayoom — who did not attend Nasheed’s swearing-in — and talked about his role in the democratic transition. Pandey said “there was no valedictory feel” to the meeting between Ansari and Gayoom.Nasheed’s 90-minute swearing-in ceremony — held in Maldivian parliament, the Majlis — was attended by around a thousand people, including dignitaries like Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Jordan Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein. The elaborate ceremony was accompanied by a Quran recitation and a 21-gun salute.
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