Uthuru Thila Falhu naval base

Subject: International events

Context: India and Maldives signed defence line of credit and developing the harbour at Uthuru Thila Falhu naval base.

Concept:

India extended a $50-million line of credit to the Maldives for defence projects and the two countries signed an agreement to develop and maintain a key naval facility for the armed forces of the Indian Ocean archipelago.
Two sides agreed to “develop, support and maintain” the Coast Guard harbour in UthuruThilaFalhu naval base.
Apart from defence cooperation expansion it will strengthen the capability of the Maldivian Coast Guard and facilitate regional humanitarian assistance and disaster relief efforts.
It will boost Maldives defence as currently it doesn’t have a navy and the Coast Guard functions as the armed maritime component of the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF). Thus, it is being primarily built for Maldivian forces, yet, it will create a strategic asset for India in Indian Ocean region.
Five other agreements, including one for a $25-million line of credit for the development of roads.