Maldives inaugurates airport built with assistance from India

Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu has inaugurated the Hanimaadhoo International Airport, a task funded nether the Indian government’s Line of Credit assistance, calling it a “gateway to prosperity” for the country’s north.

Mr. Muizzu inaugurated the airdrome connected Sunday (November 9, 2025) and described it arsenic a "catalyst for unlocking the imaginable of the bluish Maldives and enhancing planetary connectivity", according to a connection by the President's Office.

Calling it a “gateway to prosperity” for the north, helium said, “This is not conscionable an airport, it is simply a awesome of economical transformation." Mr. Muizzu said that the recently opened airdrome would bring further advancement to tourism, agriculture, fisheries, and the economy, arsenic good arsenic societal improvement to the north, the Sun.mv quality portal reported.

The inauguration was attended by Indian Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu and elder officials from some nations.

Speaking connected the occasion, Mr. Muizzu said the airdrome serves arsenic a monument that testifies to the spot of Maldives-India ties arsenic the countries people 60 years of diplomatic relations this year, quality portal Edition.mv reported.

In an X post, the Indian High Commission successful the Maldives called the airdrome a "true conveyance for advancement and prosperity, and a awesome of India’s committedness nether Neighbourhood First and MAHASAGAR vision".

The airport’s improvement is funded by a $800 cardinal enactment of recognition issued by EXIM Bank, India, nether an statement executed betwixt the Maldivian authorities and the slope successful 2019, the Sun.mv news portal reported.

The improvement of Hanimaadhoo International Airport was contracted to India’s JMC Projects for $136.6 million, it said, adding that the airdrome volition assistance amended tourism successful bluish atolls.

Earlier successful the day, Mr. Naidu met Maldives' Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr Abdulla Khaleel here, with some reaffirming committedness to strengthening bilateral relations.

During the gathering astatine the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Khaleel expressed gratitude for the continued enactment extended to the Maldives by India.

“Both ministers reiterated their committedness to the concern betwixt India and the Maldives, and discussed opportunities to deepen cooperation, heighten connectivity, and beforehand mutually beneficial improvement initiatives,” state-run Public Service Media (PSM News) said.

The Indian High Commission successful a station connected X described it arsenic “fruitful discussions.”