Addu City Council has emphasized the need for an Indian consulate in the city.
Discussions on establishing an Indian consulate in Addu City initially began in May 2021 during the last MDP government. However, the talks were halted due to political pressure from the then-opposing Peoples’ National Congress (PNC) and Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM). The subject was brought back to the table in official discussions with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s ongoing state visit to India. Following the talks, Modi informed the media that the talks resumed discussions on opening of an Indian consulate in Addu City.
The Indian government has always been keen on opening an Indian consulate in Addu City, and the proposal has been positively received by the Addu City Council.
When asked by AVAS on thoughts about plans, Addu Mayor Ali Nizar expressed enthusiasm for the project, and said the council has always been keen on about opening an Indian consulate in Addu City.
"We have always supported the idea. It hasn’t happened thus far due to the lack of initiative from the government,” he said.
The mayor said no formal discussions have been held between the Indian government and the Addu City Council to open a consulate office. However, now that the government has decided to open an Indian consulate office in Addu City, relevant discussions can be conducted with the government, he said.
The Mayor added that said the presence of an Indian consulate in Addu city would open doors for the development of the city as well as the entire southern region of the Maldives. While a large number of Indians are working in Addu, a consulate would steamline the process of resolving their administrative issues locally, and it would also reduce the need for residents to travel to Male’ for services related to India, he said.
The Mayor said the establishment of the consulate would also bring significant economic benefits. While the Indian market has expanded significantly in Addu's tourism sector, it is now considered important to have a consulate in Addu City to strengthen relations between India and Maldives and provide comprehensive services to tourists, he said.
Reflecting on past opposition to the consulate by PPM-PNC, Nizar said those who initially opposed it are now in favor. He expressed pleasure that the same people are today in positive discussions to open the consulate in the Addu City, and said there should now be little resistance moving forward with the plan.
“I don't believe there would be any people who would object to having an Indian consulate in Addu City,” the mayor said.
Currently, the Indian High Commission in the Maldives is located in Hulhumale’, while the Maldivian High Commission in India is located in New Delhi. The Maldives has an additional consulate in Trivandrum and is in talks with the Indian government to open a second consulate in Bangalore. Trivandrum and Bangalore are the most popular destinations for Maldivians traveling to India.
Addu City Mayor Ali Nizar
