India, Maldives sign pacts on taxation, defence

India and the Maldives has signed six agreements related to  fields of defence, tourism, taxation, space research, and conservation of mosques during the conclusion of  delegation-level bilateral talks between India’s Prime Minister and the Maldivian President.

Key Points

Agreement on Taxation

As per India’s external affairs ministry the agreement involves exchange of information significant to the determination, assessment and collection of such taxes, the recovery and enforcement of tax claims, or the investigation and prosecution of tax matters.

• The first agreement on taxation aims to remove double taxation of income received from international air transport.
• The second agreement on taxation considers joint cooperation for information exchange important for the running and enforcement of the domestic laws regarding taxes as per the agreement.

Agreement on Defence cooperation

The agreement on for defence cooperation is concerned with  having an action plan.

• The action plan aims at an institutional mechanism at the level of the defence secretaries to supplement bilateral defence cooperation.

Agreement on Space Research

The agreement on space research is concerned with the performing intersystem orbit frequency coordination of the proposed South Asia Satellite at 48 degrees east.

• The above agreement is expected to fulfill ITU level regulatory requirements and obtain international level protection/recognition for the  upcoming South Asia Satellite.

Agreement on Tourism

Both countries have  signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) which boosts cooperation in the field of tourism.

• The MoU involves extension of bilateral cooperation, exchange of information and data regarding tourism, boosting ties  between tourism stakeholders like hotels and tour operators, establishing exchange programmes for cooperation in human resource development, investment in the tourism and hospitality sectors.
• The MoU provides for exchanging visits of tour operators, media and opinion makers for promotion of two-way tourism, exchange of experience in the areas of promotion, marketing, destination development and management, participation in travel fairs and exhibitions among both countries and promotion of safe, honourable and sustainable tourism.

Agreement on Conservation of Mosques

The sixth  and final agreement is regarding the cooperation in the conservation and restoration of ancient mosques and other historical monuments in Maldives along with conducting joint research and exploratory surveys in the Maldives.

• To achieve this detailed proposals for such projects would be developed by both the Archaeological Survey of India and Maldive Department of Heritage,.

Tags: India-Maldives, MoU