India has decided to ease the visa procedure for Maldivian students and business travellers.
The decision was announced by Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid, following a meeting held with the High Commissioner of India to the Maldives Sanjay Sudhir on November 1. In a tweet posted after the meeting, Foreign Minister Shahid revealed India has decided to ease visas for Maldivians travelling to India for studies and business purposes. He noted medical visas are already being for Maldivians travelling to India for treatment.
In his tweet, the foreign minister thanked Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar for the decision to ease visa procedure for Maldivians travelling to India. He noted both governments are working to strengthen people-to-people contact between the two countries in the new normal situation, following the COVID-19 pandemic.
The foreign ministry stated Maldivians travelling to India for studies or business purposes can seek the travel permission through the Consular Department of the foreign ministry. The ministry said students and business travellers will be permitted to travel within the air bubble established between India and the Maldives.