Ankara, Turkey (DT)- At least four people have been killed and 14 were injured Wednesday in what Turkish officials are calling a “terrorist attack” on a state-owned military aircraft factory outside Ankara.
Three of the injured are in a serious condition, Turkish interior minister Ali Yerlikaya told reporters.
“Two terrorists, one male and one female, were neutralized,” he said. Yerlikaya added that investigations into their identities were ongoing.
Nato secretary-general Mark Rutte said the Atlantic alliance “stands with our ally Turkey.”
“Deeply concerning reports of dead and wounded in Ankara. (…) We strongly condemn terrorism in all its forms and are monitoring developments closely,” Rutte said on X.
The attack occurred shortly before 4pm local time at a Turkish Aerospace Industries Inc. (TUSAŞ) factory, which manufactures military aircraft, helicopters and military aeronautical equipment.
Relatives of employees of TUSAS wait outside as policemen secure the area during a terror attack at (TUSAS) Turkish Aerospace and Aviation Center’s headquarter in Ankara, Turkey 23 October 2024. EFE/EPA/NECATI SAVAS
A large number of police, as well as firefighters and ambulances, were sent to the scene, NTV and CNNTurk reported.
NTV broadcaster said security camera footage showed two alleged assailants getting out of a taxi and opening fire at civilians before heading towards the factory.
A Deputy Chief Public Prosecutor and eight prosecutors have been assigned to the investigation into the attack, NTV reported.
Beirut, Lebanon (DT) – At least 35 people were killed and over 150 others injured in the latest Israeli airstrikes across Lebanon, according to a Saturday report from the Lebanese health ministry.
In a statement on X, the ministry said 17 people were killed and 62 wounded in southern Lebanon.
Three people were killed and 41 wounded in Nabatieh, nearly 75 km south of Beirut, while one person died and 22 were injured in Baalbek, some 90 km east of the capital.
Hermel, situated nearly 150 km to the north, reported five deaths and 19 injuries.
The deaths were reported over the past day.
The ministry’s statement also noted that since the start of Israel’s offensive, 2,255 people have been killed, and 10,524 others wounded.
Earlier the ministry said at least nine people were killed and dozens wounded in Israeli airstrikes in two Lebanese villages on Saturday.
One of the attacks occurred in the Barja village, nearly 40 km south of Beirut, which killed four and wounded nearly 15.
Five persons were killed and 14 were wounded in the Israeli raid on al-Ma’asara in Keserwan district, northeast of the Lebanese capital.
The Lebanese ministry renewed its call to the media and social networks to promote blood donation in hospitals.
“There is a clear mechanism coordinated with the Red Cross to ensure blood units are delivered as quickly as necessary and in the right places,” the statement said.
These are new attacks in the Beirut suburbs in the last more than two weeks ago, when Israel began an incessant campaign of bombings against southern Lebanon and the southern suburbs of Beirut, known as Dahye.
The conflict worsened on Oct. 1 with the Israeli army’s ground invasion of southern Lebanon, accompanied by intense bombings in the neighbouring country.
The region has been facing intense military tension after Iran launched nearly 200 ballistic missiles at Israel earlier this month.
Iran’s attack was in response to the recent killings of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in an Israeli airstrike on Beirut and former Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, an operation Israel has neither confirmed nor denied.
Copenhagen, Sweden (DT) – Han Kang, the internationally renowned author of the novel The Vegetarian, has been awarded the Nobel Prize 2024, in Literature.
The South Korean writer received the prestigious honor for her exceptional contributions to literature, noted for her exploration of trauma, identity, and the human condition with striking emotional depth and poetic clarity.
The Swedish Academy praised Han Kang for her profound ability to explore human suffering, both mental and physical, often linking her themes to Eastern philosophical thought. Her work delves into the complexities of trauma, memory, and the human condition, offering readers a poignant and sometimes unsettling reflection on life’s darker aspects.
In particular, The Vegetarian, which brought Han Kang global recognition, exemplifies her fearless approach to challenging societal norms and exploring deep emotional and psychological struggles.
The novel, which won the Man Booker International Prize in 2016, tells the story of a woman’s radical decision to stop eating meat, unfolding themes of rebellion, violence, and transformation.
The Academy highlighted that Han Kang’s works frequently engage with historical traumas, using a poetic narrative style to emphasize the vulnerability of human life. Her stories resonate not only for their emotional depth but also for their philosophical reflections on existence and suffering.
This award marks a historic moment for South Korea, with Han Kang becoming the first South Korean author to win the Nobel Prize in Literature. Her recognition elevates Korean literature onto the global stage, solidifying her place as one of the most significant voices in contemporary world literature.
The Swedish Academy’s permanent secretary Mats Malm announces that the South Korean writer Han Kang will be awarded the 2024 Nobel Prize in Literature in the Swedish Academy in Stockholm, Sweden, 10 October 2024. EFE-EPA/JESSICA GOW SWEDEN OUT
Born in 1970 in Gwangju, Han Kang moved to Seoul with her family at the age of 11. She pursued a degree in Korean literature and began her literary career as a poet. However, it was as a novelist that she gained broader recognition.
In 1994, Han Kang won the Seoul Shinmun Prize for her short story “Red Candle,” marking the beginning of a prolific writing career. Since then, she has published several acclaimed short story collections.
Chairman of the Nobel Committee for Literature 2024 Anders Olsson speaks to media after the Swedish Academy announced that the South Korean writer Han Kang will be awarded the 2024 Nobel Prize in Literature in the Swedish Academy in Stockholm, Sweden, 10 October 2024. EFE-EPA/JESSICA GOW SWEDEN OUT
Why is Nobel Prize Day celebrated on December 10?
The Nobel Prize is awarded on December 10 each year to honor the legacy of Alfred Nobel, the inventor and philanthropist who established the prizes. This date marks the anniversary of his death in 1896.
By choosing this day, the Nobel Foundation commemorates Nobel’s contributions to science, literature, and peace, in accordance with his will, which directed that his fortune be used to recognize individuals who have made significant contributions to humanity in these fields.
The Nobel Prize in Literature, like all Nobel Prizes, is awarded as part of this tradition.
Madrid, Spain (DT) – Tennis legend Rafael Nadal has announced that he will retire from professional tennis following the Davis Cup final in November, marking the end of an illustrious career spanning over two decades.*
The 38-year-old Spaniard, widely regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of the sport, revealed his decision during a press conference, stating that the Davis Cup will be his final competitive event. “It’s time for me to say goodbye to the sport I’ve loved for so long,” Nadal said. “I have given everything I have, and it feels right to step away now, on my own terms.”
Nadal’s career has been nothing short of remarkable, with 22 Grand Slam titles, including a record 14 French Open victories, solidifying his status as the ‘King of Clay.’ His intense playing style, unrivaled work ethic, and fierce competitive spirit have earned him a dedicated global fanbase.
The Davis Cup final will serve as a fitting conclusion to his storied career, as Nadal has always been a passionate representative of Spain in international competition. He expressed excitement about representing his country one last time and hopes to finish his career on a high note with another team victory.
Tennis fans and players alike have reacted emotionally to the news, paying tribute to Nadal’s legacy as one of the sport’s greatest champions. His retirement will mark the end of an era, but his influence and impact on tennis will endure for generations to come.
Mumbai, India (DT) – Ratan Tata, one of India’s most respected business icons and the former chairman of Tata Group, has passed away at the age of 86. The news of his death has sent shockwaves through India and the global business community, with tributes pouring in to honor the visionary leader who transformed India’s oldest conglomerate into a global powerhouse.
Under Ratan Tata’s leadership from 1991 to 2012, the Tata Group became one of India’s largest companies, with annual revenues exceeding $100 billion (£76.5 billion). Tata spearheaded the expansion of the conglomerate’s global footprint, acquiring major international brands like Jaguar Land Rover and Corus Steel, while also significantly contributing to India’s industrial growth and development.
In a statement announcing Tata’s death, Natarajan Chandrasekaran, the current chairman of Tata Sons, described him as a “truly uncommon leader,” highlighting his unwavering commitment to ethical business practices and his role in shaping the Tata Group’s values.
Ratan Tata was not only a business leader but also a philanthropist, dedicating much of his life to social causes through the Tata Trusts, which he chaired. His work in areas such as healthcare, education, and rural development left a lasting impact on millions of lives in India.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and business leaders from around the world expressed their condolences, praising Tata’s extraordinary contributions to Indian industry and his legacy as a global leader. “Ratan Tata was a beacon of leadership and kindness, shaping India’s future while staying deeply connected to its roots,” Modi said in a statement.
As India mourns the loss of one of its greatest industrialists, Ratan Tata’s legacy of innovation, leadership, and philanthropy will continue to inspire future generations.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences on X, stating, “Shri Ratan Tata Ji was a visionary business leader, a compassionate soul, and an extraordinary human being. He provided stable leadership to one of India’s oldest and most prestigious business houses. At the same time, his contribution went far beyond the boardroom. He endeared himself to several people thanks to his humility, kindness, and unwavering commitment to making our society better.”
Shri Ratan Tata Ji was a visionary business leader, a compassionate soul and an extraordinary human being. He provided stable leadership to one of India’s oldest and most prestigious business houses. At the same time, his contribution went far beyond the boardroom. He endeared… pic.twitter.com/p5NPcpBbBD
Indian Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi said: “Ratan Tata was a man with a vision. He has left a lasting mark on both business and philanthropy. My condolences to his family and the Tata community.”
Ratan Tata was a man with a vision. He has left a lasting mark on both business and philanthropy.
My condolences to his family and the Tata community.
New Delhi, India (DT) – In a powerful demonstration advocating for peace and harmony, the international organization World Peace Harmony conducted a peaceful march today in protest against the inflammatory rhetoric and actions of Yeti Narsinghanand, a controversial religious figure known for his polarizing statements. The event drew significant participation from human rights activists, religious leaders, and peace advocates from across the world.
The peaceful march, led by World Peace Harmony Chairman Shakeel Saifi, saw thousands of members from the Muslim community take to the streets, advocating for unity, tolerance, and coexistence. Following the march on Tuesday, an 11-member delegation, headed by Shakeel Saifi, met with the District Magistrate (DM) and Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) of Ghaziabad. The delegation formally demanded the arrest of Mahant Narsinghanand Saraswati of Dasna Temple by filing a case against him under the National Security Act (NSA). This action follows Narsinghanand’s objectionable remarks against Prophet Muhammad, which have been circulating on social media.
Haji Shakeel Saifi emphasized the urgency of removing all videos containing the Mahant’s inflammatory statements and insisted on his immediate arrest. The delegation included key community members such as Zakir Ali Saifi, Faiz Saifi, Fazlu Saifi, Shaista Parveen, Naushad Saifi, Haji Danish Saifi, Iqbal Saifi, Samim Saifi, Sarfaraz Saifi, Imran Ahmed, Ansh Iqbal, Wasim, and Imran, all representing the united front of the Muslim community in this cause.
Addressing the gathering after the peaceful march, Haji Shakeel Saifi reaffirmed his commitment to protecting the honor of Prophet Muhammad and standing up against those who seek to divide society. “We will do everything possible to honor the Prophet and protest against those who destroy humanity and brotherhood. Whether we live or not, unity, mutual love, brotherhood, humanity, and truth should always prevail in our country,” Saifi declared.
World Peace Harmony, renowned for its efforts in promoting global stability, expressed their hope that this demonstration will inspire leaders and citizens alike to reject hate speech and foster an atmosphere of dialogue, understanding, and peace.
Stockholm, Sweden (DT) —This year’s Nobel Prize honors two scientists Nobel Prize in medicine honors Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun for their discovery of microRNA for their discovery of a fundamental principle governing how gene activity is regulated.
The information stored within our chromosomes can be likened to an instruction manual for all cells in our body. Every cell contains the same chromosomes, so every cell contains exactly the same set of genes and exactly the same set of instructions. Yet, different cell types, such as muscle and nerve cells, have very distinct characteristics.
Nobel Committee chairman Thomas Perlmann, right, announces Americans Victor Ambros, left, and Gary Ruvkun, seen on a screen being awarded this year’s Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, during a press conference at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, Sweden, on Monday, Oct. 7, 2024. (Christine Olsson/TT News Agency via Ap)
What is the Nobel Prize for?
RNA is best known for carrying instructions for how to make proteins from DNA in the nucleus of the cell to tiny cellular factories that actually build the proteins. MicroRNA does not make proteins, but helps to control what cells are doing, including switching on and off critical genes that make proteins.
How do these differences arise? The answer lies in gene regulation, which allows each cell to select only the relevant instructions. This ensures that only the correct set of genes is active in each cell type.
Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun were interested in how different cell types develop. They discovered microRNA, a new class of tiny RNA molecules that play a crucial role in gene regulation.
Their groundbreaking discovery revealed a completely new principle of gene regulation that turned out to be essential for multicellular organisms, including humans. It is now known that the human genome codes for over one thousand microRNAs. Their surprising discovery revealed an entirely new dimension to gene regulation. MicroRNAs are proving to be fundamentally important for how organisms develop and function.
Essential regulation
This year’s Nobel Prize focuses on the discovery of a vital regulatory mechanism used in cells to control gene activity. Genetic information flows from DNA to messenger RNA (mRNA), via a process called transcription, and then on to the cellular machinery for protein production. There, mRNAs are translated so that proteins are made according to the genetic instructions stored in DNA. Since the mid-20th century, several of the most fundamental scientific discoveries have explained how these processes work
Our organs and tissues consist of many different cell types, all with identical genetic information stored in their DNA. However, these different cells express unique sets of proteins. How is this possible? The answer lies in the precise regulation of gene activity so that only the correct set of genes is active in each specific cell type.
This enables, for example, muscle cells, intestinal cells, and different types of nerve cells to perform their specialized functions. In addition, gene activity must be continually fine-tuned to adapt cellular functions to changing conditions in our bodies and environment. If gene regulation goes awry, it can lead to serious diseases such as cancer, diabetes, or autoimmunity. Therefore, understanding the regulation of gene activity has been an important goal for many decades.
In the 1960s, it was shown that specialized proteins, known as transcription factors, can bind to specific regions in DNA and control the flow of genetic information by determining which mRNAs are produced. Since then, thousands of transcription factors have been identified, and for a long time it was believed that the main principles of gene regulation had been solved. However, in 1993, this year’s Nobel laureates published unexpected findings describing a new level of gene regulation, which turned out to be highly significant and conserved throughout evolution.
Research on a small worm leads to a big breakthrough
In the late 1980s, Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun were postdoctoral fellows in the laboratory of Robert Horvitz, who was awarded the Nobel Prize in 2002, alongside Sydney Brenner and John Sulston. In Horvitz’s laboratory, they studied a relatively unassuming 1 mm long roundworm, C. elegans. Despite its small size, C. elegans possesses many specialized cell types such as nerve and muscle cells also found in larger, more complex animals, making it a useful model for investigating how tissues develop and mature in multicellular organisms. Ambros and Ruvkun were interested in genes that control the timing of activation of different genetic programs, ensuring that various cell types develop at the right time.
They studied two mutant strains of worms, lin-4 and lin-14, that displayed defects in the timing of activation of genetic programs during development. The laureates wanted to identify the mutated genes and understand their function. Ambros had previously shown that the lin-4 gene appeared to be a negative regulator of the lin-14 gene. However, how the lin-14 activity was blocked was unknown. Ambros and Ruvkun were intrigued by these mutants and their potential relationship and set out to resolve these mysteries.
Kfar Aza, Israel (DT) — On a sun-dappled day in Kibbutz Kfar Aza, Liora Eilon stood at the spot where her son was killed. She stooped to pick a figurine from the pile of belongings scattered around an abandoned home nearby.
“Every time we come here, Tal leaves us a little message,” the 71-year-old said, turning over the plastic soldier in her hands.
It has been a year since Hamas militants stormed into this community within sight of the border fence surrounding Gaza. Eilon’s 46-year-old son, Tal, who was the Kfar Aza civilian defense commander, was killed in the early moments of the attack, as he ran to the kibbutz armory to grab a weapon.
Now living in a university dormitory in Israel’s north, Liora Eilon wonders if she’ll ever return home to this place, seared into Israeli history for that day of mass death, when the militants killed some 1,200 people in southern communities and took about 250 others hostage. The attack sparked an ongoing Israeli campaign in Gaza that has killed more than 41,600 Palestinians and laid waste to much of the territory.
“How can I trust the government who abandoned me here, who betrayed me, promised me that my family was safe here?” she said. “The government wants us to go back to Kfar Aza, but I need more to feel safe.”
Only about 50 of Kfar Aza’s 1,000 residents have returned. They live among the skeletons of houses burned by explosives, riddled with bullet holes or reduced to rubble by tank shells during the battle that raged for days.
The others are scattered in dorms and hotels further north. The Associated Press spoke to a dozen residents who shared feelings of extreme vulnerability to future attack and deep misgivings about Israel’s military and government, and the Palestinians on the other side of the fence.
Some wondered whether such a scarred place could ever be lived in at all.
An Israeli flag is hung on a destroyed house nearly a year after the deadly Hamas attack on Oct. 7, in Kibbutz Kfar Aza, Israel, Monday, Sept. 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)
“Are we going to live inside a memorial? Are we going to see a plaque every few meters, he was killed here and he was killed here?” asked Zohar Shpack, 58, who has returned and serves in the civilian defense squad. “I don’t know yet.”
‘It’s still the seventh of October’
The seasons have spun by since Oct. 7. Relatively untended, Kfar Aza’s orchards have borne new fruit. With few to harvest, soldiers guarding the community have their pick from loads of fresh avocadoes.
The land still holds traces of the day. On trees hung with fresh pomegranates, some of last year’s fruit remains, charred and black like used grenades. Gardener Rafael Friedman says he still finds teeth and bones in the soil when he rakes back the overgrowth — likely remnants of Hamas militants killed in the fighting.
Kfar Aza has always been a close-knit place. It takes just 15 minutes to walk from one end to the other, past neighborhoods, orchards and a soccer pitch. Many residents grew up here and raised families alongside each other.
Now photos of slain young people, couples killed together and hostages are posted everywhere. During the day, former residents like Eilon guide tours, hold memorials and see familiar faces. When night falls, most disappear to hotel rooms to the north.
FILE- Mourners attend the funeral of the Kotz family in Gan Yavne, Israel, on Oct. 17, 2023. The Israeli family of five was killed by Hamas militants on Oct. 7 at their house in Kibbutz Kfar Aza near the border with the Gaza Strip. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg, File)
Every Friday, survivors gather on Shachar Schnorman’s porch for dinner, filling the kibbutz with the rare sound of laughter.
“It’s the only place where people can talk about the seventh and all the people at the table understand exactly what they are talking about,” Schnorman said.
“We do whatever we can to try to build community, to try to show … that people can live here,” he said.
The government says it will rebuild. Meanwhile, it’s constructing pre-fabricated houses for residents in another kibbutz, Ruhama, about 15 kilometers (10 miles) away. After two years there, they say authorities want them to return to Kfar Aza.
About two-thirds of the community plan to move into the temporary housing. On a recent tour, some enthusiastically examined the box-like structures. It’s a chance, they said, to live together and rebuild on the southern land they’re accustomed to.
But some weren’t convinced Kfar Aza will be rebuilt and not sure they’d ever feel safe returning.
FILE- Mourners gather around the five coffins of the Kotz family during their funeral in Gan Yavne, Israel, Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2023. The family was killed by Hamas militants on Oct. 7 at their house in Kibbutz Kfar Aza near the border with the Gaza Strip,. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg, File)
‘They could have saved them’
As the battle still raged, some residents were evacuated early and sped away in army jeeps. Hanan Dann, a young father, recounted passing a cluster of soldiers at a gas station just outside the kibbutz, who looked like they were waiting for orders.
“I wanted to say, there’s fighting inside still, there’re people dying,” he said. “They could have saved them.”
Soldiers and militants fought in Kfar Aza for days. By the end, militants had killed 64 civilians and 22 soldiers and dragged 19 hostages into Gaza.
Nearby, in the recesses of the Negev desert, stands a decrepit water tower. It’s a remnant of Be’erot Yitzhak, a kibbutz abandoned after a deadly 1948 Egyptian attack during the war that led to Israel’s creation.
But others say as long as there is no peace agreement with Palestinians, they will again be on the front lines of another Oct. 7. Some of Gaza’s Palestinians once lived in these same arid reaches of what is now southern Israel. Almost no trace is left of their villages after Israeli troops drove them out during the 1948 war.
“We’ve tried war enough times and it never led to anything good,” Eilon said. She wants a new government that will talk to the Palestinians to find “some arrangement for us to live together on the same land.”
“I’m dreaming for the day with an open fence from here to the sea, with two people living together.”
PRESTEA-HUNI VALLEY, Ghana, (DT) – At an unlicensed gold mine in Ghana, men in t-shirts, shorts and rubber boots wade through pools of muddy water laced with mercury, pull out rocks with bare hands and operate a rickety sluice as they search for the precious ore.
The ramshackle mine is part of a booming business that is generating livelihoods and informal revenue streams for Ghana’s economy, even as it harms miners’ health, pollutes waterways, destroys forests and cocoa farms, and fuels crime.
“It’s risky but I just want to survive,” said one of the men at the wildcat site visited by Reuters in the Prestea-Huni Valley district in western Ghana.
The 24-year-old accounting student, who asked not to be named because he was involved in illegal activities, said he had been skipping classes to prospect for gold because he needed the money, having lost his father as a teenager.
There was no professional protective equipment at the mine. Men wore flimsy plastic shopping bags on their heads. One had swimming goggles and another a rice bag covering his torso.
An illegal artisanal miner inspects an excavated rock for traces of gold at the Prestea-Huni Valley Municipal District in the Western Region, Ghana August 17, 2024. REUTERS/Francis Kokoroko
The unlicensed gold mining industry, known in Ghana as “galamsey”, has grown at a breakneck pace this year as global gold prices have risen by almost 30%, enticing new entrants.
Small-scale mines produced 1.2 million ounces of gold in the first seven months of this year, more than in the whole of 2023, according to data from Ghana’s mining sector regulator.
About 40% of Ghana’s total gold output comes from small mines, as opposed to concessions operated by multi-national firms. Some 70-80% of the small mines are unlicensed.
POISONED PROFITS
Martin Ayisi, head of Ghana’s Minerals Commission, the mining industry regulator, said most galamsey gold was smuggled out of the country and was therefore not contributing to national gold export revenues.
For Ayisi, the rise in gold prices is good for Ghana, helping it recover from a severe economic crisis in 2022 that required a $3-billion IMF bailout.
“We should be able to get a lot of money and probably exit the IMF programme earlier,” he said, forecasting national gold export revenues would more than double to $10 billion this year.
But industry experts say the lines between legal mining and galamsey are blurred, and gold from informal mines represents a larger proportion of revenues than the authorities acknowledge. The dangers of galamsey, however, are not in dispute.
Dozens of miners have been killed in collapsing pits in recent years, according to news reports and human rights groups, while hospitals and health centres report high numbers of early deaths from pulmonary diseases of miners and residents of towns and villages near mines.
These are caused by inhaling dust that contains heavy metals such as lead, as well as poisonous fumes from the mercury and nitric acid the miners use to leach gold out of sediment.
The chemicals are then dumped on the ground or in rivers. Ghana’s water authority says mercury and heavy metals from mining have contaminated about 65% of water sources.
ORGANISED CRIME
Opinion polls suggest galamsey is one of the top five issues for voters ahead of a Dec. 7 general election.
The main candidates to replace outgoing Akufo-Addo as president, Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia and former President John Mahama, have pledged to formalise galamsey, for example by funding a state agency to explore for gold and map areas for locals to mine.
New Delhi, India (DT) — India has extended financial support of $400 million and a bilateral currency swap of ₹3,000 crore to assist the Maldives in overcoming its current financial challenges. The announcement was made during delegation-level talks between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Maldivian President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, held in New Delhi today.
In addition to the currency swap agreement, the two countries signed two Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) to enhance bilateral cooperation in preventing and combating corruption. Another two MoUs were renewed, focusing on capacity building programs for Maldivian judicial officers and cooperation in sports and youth affairs.
Speaking after the talks, Prime Minister Modi underscored the importance of the India-Maldives partnership, stating that both countries have adopted a vision for a Comprehensive Economic and Maritime Security Partnership, which will provide strategic direction for their cooperation. He highlighted India’s commitment to supporting the Maldives’ priorities, noting that earlier this year, the State Bank of India rolled over $100 million worth of Maldivian “Treasury Bills.”
Prime Minister Modi emphasized that India remains the Maldives’ first responder in times of need, whether it is supplying essential commodities, providing drinking water during natural disasters, or delivering vaccines during the COVID-19 pandemic. He reiterated that the relationship between the two nations is centuries-old, with India being the Maldives’ closest neighbor and friend, aligning with India’s “Neighborhood First” policy and “SAGAR” vision.
Additionally, Modi virtually inaugurated the new runway at Hanimaadhoo International Airport in the Maldives and handed over 700 social housing units constructed under EXIM Bank’s Buyer’s Credit Facilities. The introduction of the RuPay card in the Maldives was also a key milestone, with both leaders witnessing the first transaction. Looking ahead, efforts will be made to connect India and the Maldives through UPI for seamless digital payments.
Maldivian President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu expressed gratitude for India’s financial assistance, including the ₹3,000 crore support and the $400 million currency swap, highlighting the positive trajectory of bilateral relations. He confirmed that the talks with Prime Minister Modi were comprehensive, focusing on the successful development journey of the two countries and charting the future course of their collaboration.
