India Trained 4,200+ Maldivian Professionals in Six Years
Male, October 30 - More than 4,200 Maldivian professionals have received training in India over the past six to seven years, according to a statement read out at an event marking ITEC Day 2026 in Male.
Indian High Commissioner G. Balasubramanyam's message, delivered by Deputy High Commissioner Kumar Gaurav, lauded trainees who have been trained under India's various capacity-building programmes. The High Commissioner described them as true ambassadors who are strengthening ties between the Maldives and India.
The ceremony was chaired as chief guest by Maldives' Minister of Higher Education, Labour and Skills Development, Ismail Shafiu.
In a post on X, the Indian High Commission said the event saw active participation from former ITEC students. It also noted that the ITEC programme has been offering skill development to Maldivian talent since 1964, with 600 scholarships provided every year.
Kumar Gaurav, reading the message, said that although diplomats are the official representatives, the trainees are the ones truly carrying the relationship forward. Their work, he said, helps bring people closer and strengthens ties between governments.
He further said that the programme's impact should be judged not by certificates issued but by how trainees contribute to their institutions and communities after returning from India.
India's training initiatives, he added, are not based on a single rigid framework. They are tailored to Maldivian development needs and operate within the Neighbourhood First policy and Vision SAGAR.
The breakdown of training numbers includes 1,269 civil servants trained under an arrangement between the National Centre for Good Governance and the Maldives Civil Service Commission. Under an agreement with the Maldives Local Government Authority, 334 local council members and government officials were trained by India's National Institute of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj.
Also, 360 customs officials were trained with the cooperation of the CBIC and the Maldives Customs Service. Meanwhile, 323 judicial officers received training through the National Judicial Academy and the Maldives Judicial Service Commission.
Defence capacity-building programmes since 2014 have trained 1,948 personnel of the Maldives National Defence Force.
Earlier this month, the Maldives had expressed appreciation to India's government for approving the first withdrawal of 30 billion rupees under the Indian rupee currency swap facility.
Foreign Minister Iruthishám Adam, in a statement on October 16, thanked External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and the Indian government, saying the decision strengthens the long-standing friendship between the two countries. She said the partnership is based on mutual respect, understanding and goodwill.
Adam also stated that under President Mohamed Muizzu's leadership, the Maldives has strengthened relations with key bilateral partners, including India, and remains committed to deepening them. She praised the President for his important role in advancing the economy and ensuring the welfare of the people.