Narendra Modi on Sunday said that the Maldives-India Cargo Ferry Service would boost the economies.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said that the Maldives-India Cargo Ferry Service would boost the economies and strengthen the friendship between the two countries.
Prime Minister Modi said this while replying to a tweet from the Maldivian President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.
"Our thanks to Prime Minister @narendramodi and Government of India as the Maldives-India Cargo Ferry Service goes on its maiden voyage today between Kulhudhuffushi, Male and South India. The ferry would further strengthen Maldives-India friendship and bring greater prosperity to our communities," President of the Republic of Maldives tweeted.
Prime Minister Modi replied that it was "indeed a happy day" adding that the dream of direct ferry service is now a reality.
"It is indeed a happy day, President @ibusolih (Ibrahim Mohamed Solih)! Our dream of a direct ferry service between India and Maldives is now a reality," read the Prime Minister's tweet.
"I have no doubt that it will promote bilateral trade and boost our economies. The Maldives-India friendship will continue to strengthen," the tweet read further.
Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid said that the ferry service would bring "monumental benefits to the people of the Maldives, especially the Northern islands" adding that it was "A new road for age-old friends."
"A new road for age-old friends is what we embark upon today. Today, we marked the historic maiden voyage of the Maldives-India Cargo Ferry Service. The establishment of this ferry will boost #MaldivesIndia trade, as well as revitalise the economy of northern Maldives," he added.
Another tweet from him read, "The backbone of this Ferry Service, is the people-to-people contact between India and Maldives. I offer my immense gratitude to the Gov of India for their support in facilitating this extraordinary project. Thank you to all our national stakeholders for their work in realising this."
The cargo vessel MCP Linz operated by the Shipping Corporation of India (SCI) reached the anchorage at the northern Maldivian town of Kulhudhufushi on Saturday.
MCP Linz connects Tuticorin and Cochin ports in India with Kulhudhufushi and Male ports in the Maldives.