The new visa agreement between Maldives and India has come into force from today. The agreement will provide a liberal visa policy for Maldivians seeking medical treatment as well as education and business opportunities in India.

The visa deal will allow Maldivian businessmen and tourists to stay in India for 90 days without a visa. Maldivians with tourist visas can also stay in India for treatment if they suffer a sudden medical issue.

The agreement was reached during the visit of Maldives President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih to India last December. Both the governments had agreed to implement the visa facilitation agreement after completing the required procedures.

President Solih’s government has been strengthening ties with India after its decades-long friendship with India deteriorated during the administration of former President Abdulla Yameen.

There have been several high-level exchanges since the present government took over last November while India extended 1.4 billion US dollars assistance to the new government.