PM Modi addresses the People's Majlis

On Democracy: Some months ago, the people of Maldives came together -- to achieve success as a democracy. Maldives has shown the world that ultimately, the winner is always the people of a democracy. Who was the most proud and happy about this success of Maldives? Your closest friend and the world's biggest democracy-India. Your success is an example and a motivation for the world.





On India-Maldives ties: India will always stand with Maldives. The relationship between India and Maldives is even older than history. India has stood with the Maldives in support of freedom, democracy, prosperity and peace. Whether it was for the 1988 incident, or the Tsunami of 2004 or the recent water-crisis. Neighborhood First' is our priority. Relations between India and Maldives are older than history. From time immemorial, blue waters have washed our shores. They have also nourished our cultures and civilisations.





In 1988, a group of Maldivians led by Abdullah Luthufi and assisted by armed mercenaries of a Tamil secessionist organisation from Sri Lanka attempted to overthrow the government in the Maldives.





On Terrorism: Terrorism is the biggest threat in today's times. Not a single day goes by around the world when terrorism does not claim the life of an innocent. It is a grave misfortune that even now some people resort to the fallacy of distinguishing between the so-called 'good' and 'bad' terrorists. State sponsorship of terrorism is the biggest threat today. It is time for a global conference on terrorism.





I am happy that Maldives is working towards sustainable development and has become a part of the International Solar Alliance, says PM Modi. "Indo-Pacific region is an inalienable part of our existence. It has been our lifeline, and also the highway for trade and prosperity."





"I felt great to have announced today that India will contribute in conservation of Maldives' Friday Mosque. There's no such mosque elsewhere in the world like this historical mosque made up of coral," PM Modi says.