Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday reaffirmed the Maldives pivotal role in India’s Neighbourhood First policy and SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) vision during a meeting with Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu. Both the leaders discussed deepening bilateral ties after a period of strained relations between the nations.  

Narendra Modi said that India and Maldives relations are centuries old. He added that India is Maldives’ nearest neighbour and close friend. He further asserted that Maldives holds an important position in India’s neighbourhood policy and SAGAR vision. India has always played the role of first responder for Maldives, he mentioned.

Maldives president Muizzu, who arrived in New Delhi on Sunday, is on his first state visit to India since assuming office last November. President Mizzu’s visit comes amid efforts to mend relations while navigating an ailing economy back home.

Ties between India and the Maldives have been fraught ever since Muizzu won the presidency on an India Out campaign and directed the eviction of Indian troops from the island nation. Recently, he has toned down his anti-India rhetoric, but New Delhi remains wary of his pro-China leanings.

Despite these aforesaid challenges, both leaders expressed a commitment to enhancing their relationship. Prime Minister Modi stressed on India’s role in supporting the Maldives during times of crisis. The Prime Minister stated that both countries have adopted a shared vision of a comprehensive economic and maritime security partnership.

He added that development partnership is an important pillar of India-Maldives relations. He added that INdia has always given preference to the priorities of the people of Maldives. 

Furthermore, the Prime Minister also announced India’s decision to provide critical financial assistance to the Maldives to help it recover from an ongoing economic downturn.

He said that this year, SBI did a rollover of 100 million dollars of the Treasury Bench of Maldives. According to the needs of Maldives, a 400 million dollars and Rs 3000 crores currency swap agreement was also signed.

Notably, the economic cooperation extends to infrastructure development as well. PM Modi and Muizzu virtually inaugurated the redeveloped Hanimaadhoo International Airport, a project supported by India. Other agreements include Introduction of Rupay card in Maldives by India, both the nations discuss opening of Indian consulate in Addu, and Maldivian consulate in Bengaluru, India hands over 700 social housing units built with its support to Maldives.

In addition, India will roll over a $50 million Treasury Bill for another year to provide essential budgetary relief to the Maldivian government. India and Maldives are also set to start talks on a Free Trade Agreement.

Maldives President Muizzu extended gratitude to PM Modi for the financial support and acknowledged that India has always stood by the island nation in its time of need. He further invited PM Modi to visit the Maldives. He announced a new comprehensive vision document that will include development, maritime security, trade partnerships, energy projects, health.

Ratan Tata, former chairman of Tata Sons, on Monday clarified that the reports of him being hospitalized after a drop in blood pressure are unfounded. He said that he is aware of the recent rumours regarding his health and want to assure everyone that the claims are unfounded.

The 86-year-old said that he is currently undergoing medical check-ups due to his age and related medical conditions. He added that there is no cause for concern, and that he remains in good spirits. He requested the public and media to refrain from spreading misinformation. His statement followed a media report claiming that Ratan Tata was admitted to Mumbai’s Breach Candy Hospital early Monday morning.

Recently, Ratan Tata was in the news when he sold 5% of his stake in Mumbai-based stock broking startup Upstox, which delivered him an impressive 23,000 per cent return on his initial investment. 

Ratan Tata is the great-grandson of Jamsetji Tata, who founded a small business which is now one of the world’s largest corporations, with interests across the automotive, aerospace and defence, information technology, steel, real estate, financial services and investments, and aviation, e-commerce, and tourism sectors.

Ratan Tata was twice the Chairperson of the Tata Group conglomerate, from 1991 to 2012 and from 2016 to 2017. Though he has long since stepped back from the company’s day-to-day running, he continues to head its charitable trusts. He received the Padma Vibhushan, India’s second- highest civilian honour in 2008. He also received the Padma Bhushan, the third highest, in 2000.

Since his retirement in 2017, Ratan Tata has become a popular figure on social media, with heartfelt posts about animal rights and appeals to Indian citizens. With more than 13 million followers on X and nearly 10 million on Instagram, he is the ‘most followed entrepreneur in India, as per the 360 ONE Wealth Hurun India Rich List 2023.

The DMK led government in Tamil Nadu is under fire from the Opposition after five spectators died and more than 200 people were hospitalised during an Indian Air Force (IAF) air show in Chennai on Sunday. The event took place at Marina Beach to celebrate the 92nd anniversary of the IAF. 

Unfortunately, the celebration turned into chaos as thousands of people struggled with overcrowding, traffic jams, and lack of basic amenities in the sweltering heat. AIADMK leader Edappadi K Palaniswami slammed the DMK government for inadequate planning and poor crowd management, laying the blame squarely on Chief Minister MK Stalin’s administration.

Taking to X, the AIADMK leader said that administrative arrangements and crowds were not managed properly, and the police force was inadequate. He added that the news is shocking that people were stuck in heavy traffic, with no drinking water available, and many were hospitalised due to heatstroke. He mentioned that five people have died so far.

K Annamalai, Tamil Nadu BJP President also blasted the government, accusing it of negligence. The BJP President described the deaths and injuries as preventable, had proper facilities been in place.

Taking to his social media platform, he expressed that he was shocked to hear that five people died due to crowding, and more than 200 people were injured and admitted to the hospital during the IAF air show. He claimed that the only reason for this is that the DMK government did not take care of public safety, failing to provide basic facilities and adequate transport arrangements. K Annamalai also targeted Chief Minister MK Stalin, calling the incident a complete failure of administration.

He stated that the fact that Chief Minister MK Stalin can organise events for his own promotion but didn’t make proper arrangements for such a large public event is telling. He continued that this can’t be dismissed as only an accident; and that it’s an administrative failure.

Following the criticism along with calls for resignation, Tamil Nadu Health Minister Ma Subramanian defended the state government’s efforts, claiming it had gone above and beyond the IAF’s requests for the event.

He stated that the state government formed two medical teams with doctors and nurses for emergency response. He added that the Army also sent medical teams, and 40 ambulances were on-site. The state government had 100 beds and 65 doctors ready at Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital for any emergency, he continued.

However, AIADMK leader Kovai Sathyan demanded Subramanian’s resignation, accusing the government of complete mismanagement. He alleged that children were collapsing in front of his eyes. He asserted that there was no public address system to guide people, no water distribution booths, and no medical assistance on-site, adding that traffic was a nightmare.

Notably, the IAF air show commenced at 11 a.m. and continued until 1 p.m., with many spectators standing in the scorching heat for hours. Elderly attendees fainted before the show even started. The emergency workers rushed over 200 people to nearby government hospitals with symptoms of dehydration and heat exhaustion.