Greater Malé Connectivity Project

- India is set to sign the largest-ever infrastructure project in the Maldives known as the Greater Malé Connectivity Project (GMCP).
- GMCP is not only the biggest project India is doing in the Maldives but also the biggest infrastructure project in the Maldives overall. This iconic project will give a major boost to the Maldivian economy.
- The 6.7 km Greater Malé Connectivity Project will be the largest civilian infrastructure project in the Maldives, connecting Malé with three neighbouring islands — Villingili, Gulhifahu and Thilafushi.
- The project will be bigger than the Sinamalé Bridge that was built under Chinese assistance. The Sinamalé Bridge is 1.4-kilometre-long. It connects Malé with Hulhule’ and Hulhumalé and was completed in 2018.
- India will fund the implementation of the Greater Malé Connectivity Project through a $ 400 million Line of Credit (LOC) and $ 100 million grant.

LOC is a preset borrowing limit that can be tapped into at any time. The borrower can take money out as needed until the limit is reached, and as money is repaid, it can be borrowed again in the case of an open line of credit.

The GMCP project is considered as the economic lifeline for the Maldives and will provide a major boost to connectivity between the four islands accounting for about half of the Maldivian population.

Amid New Delhi’s growing concern over China’s growing influence in the region, the ties with the Maldives have remained under sharp focus.
The GMCP project is emblematic of the strong development partnership which is multi-faceted and designed to meet the specific requirements of the government and people of Maldives.
India deeply appreciates the Maldives government of President Solih for its ‘India First’ foreign policy. This is reciprocated in full measure by India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy in which the Maldives enjoys a very special and central place.

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