Posted 2/1/2024, 2:30:19 PM
India Hikes Aid to Maldives by 50% But Below Last Year's Level Amid Tensions
- India has increased development assistance to the Maldives by 50% from Rs 400 crore to Rs 600 crore in this year's budget
- However, this is still 22% lower than the Rs 770 crore India actually spent on assisting the Maldives last year
- Tensions have emerged in India-Maldives relations under the island nation's pro-China president
- India is promoting Lakshadweep tourism as an alternative to the Maldives in response
- The Ministry of External Affairs budget is increased from Rs 18,050 crore last year to Rs 22,154 crore this year