In an important diplomatic move, India and the Maldives have inked six new agreements. These pacts encompass diverse fields such as defence, tourism, taxation, space research, and the conservation of mosques. The agreements were signed in the presence of India’s Prime Minister and the President of the Maldives after the conclusion of the bilateral talks.
Noteworthy Highlights
Agreement on Taxation
The Indian external affairs ministry has shed some light on the taxation agreement. It involves the exchange of crucial information for the determination, assessment, and collection of taxes. This will aid in the recovery and enforcement of tax claims and investigation and prosecution of tax-related matters.
- The first taxation agreement is aimed at eliminating the double taxation of income derived from international air transport.
- The second taxation agreement focuses on promoting joint cooperation for the exchange of information crucial for the implementation and enforcement of domestic tax laws.
Agreement on Defence Cooperation
The defence cooperation agreement is centered around the development of an action plan.
- The action plan seeks to establish an institutional mechanism at the level of defence secretaries to augment bilateral defence cooperation.
Agreement on Space Research
The space research agreement pertains to the inter-system orbit frequency coordination of the proposed South Asia Satellite at 48 degrees east.
- This agreement is expected to meet the regulatory requirements at the ITU level and secure international recognition for the upcoming South Asia Satellite.
Agreement on Tourism
Both nations have also signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to foster cooperation in the tourism sector.
- This MoU aims to extend bilateral cooperation, exchange information and data related to tourism, strengthen ties between tourism stakeholders, establish exchange programmes for human resource development, and encourage investment in the tourism and hospitality sectors.
- The MoU also promotes the exchange of visits by tour operators, media personnel, and opinion makers to enhance two-way tourism, share experiences in promotion, marketing, destination development, and management, participate in travel fairs and exhibitions in both countries, and promote safe, honourable, and sustainable tourism.
Agreement on Conservation of Mosques
The final agreement focuses on cooperation in the conservation and restoration of ancient mosques and other historical monuments in the Maldives. It also encourages joint research and exploratory surveys in the Maldives.
- To realize this, detailed proposals for such projects will be developed by both the Archaeological Survey of India and the Maldivian Department of Heritage.
Tags: India-Maldives, MoU
