Malé (TAN): For Indians, Maldives might soon be just a ferry ride away.
The two countries agreed to introduce a passenger ferry service from Kochi in the Indian state of Kerala to Maldives’ capital Malé through Kulhudhuffushi atoll for improving tourism between them, reports said.
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A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between India and Maldives to launch the passenger cum cargo service connecting the two countries. While Kochi and Malé are 700 kilometres apart, the distance between Kochi and Kulhudhuffushi atoll is 500 kilometres.
The announcement was made during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Maldives.
“I am particularly happy that we have agreed upon a ferry service between the two countries,” Prime Minister was quoted by media reports as saying.
Prime Minister Modi and Maldivian President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih reportedly discussed the ferry service during the talks.
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“This is the first time we are going to begin passenger cum cargo services directly connecting the Indian mainland with the Maldives from Kochi via Kulhudhuffushi to Male,” India’s Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale was quoted as saying.
“Both the leaders emphasised the need to improve connectivity between the two countries through the establishment of enabling infrastructure and in this regard, directed their concerned officials to expeditiously work towards starting a regular passenger-cum-cargo ferry service between Kochi and Kulhudhuffushi and Male,” the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement.
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cruise from Cochin To Maldives?