India, Maldives sign MoU for passenger and cargo services

India, Maldives sign MoU for passenger and cargo services

India, Maldives sign MoU for passenger and cargo services

The Lok Sabha was informed, India and Maldives signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on passenger, and cargo services in male last month.

In a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha, the Minister of State for Shipping, Mansukh Mandaviya said, the objective of the MoU is to improve people to people contact between the two countries by providing an alternate, direct and less expensive means for transport for passengers and goods. It also aims to advance economic, social and cultural ties between the two countries.

Mandaviya informed that the MoU envisaged a regular passenger and cargo ferry service between Kochi in India and Male/Kulhudhuffushi in Maldives, or any other ports mutually agreed upon.

Sea connectivity between the two countries would help to promote inbound tourism, particularly health and wellness tourism.