On November 9, 2025, Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu inaugurated the redeveloped Hanimaadhoo International Airport, a landmark project funded through a USD 800 million line of credit extended by India’s EXIM Bank. Executed by India’s JMC Projects at a cost of USD 136.6 million, the airport upgrade includes a modern terminal with an aerobridge—the first of its kind in an atoll—and a 2.7-kilometer runway capable of handling larger aircraft like the Airbus A320 and Boeing 737. The airport is designed to serve 1.3 million passengers annually, significantly enhancing regional connectivity and opening new avenues for tourism, agriculture, fisheries, and trade in the northern Maldives. The inauguration ceremony was attended by Indian Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu, who reaffirmed India’s commitment to the Maldives under its Neighborhood First policy. President Muizzu described the airport as a “gateway to prosperity” and a catalyst for unlocking the northern region’s potential. The project symbolizes the deepening bilateral ties as both nations celebrate 60 years of diplomatic relations, highlighting India’s role in the Maldives’ socio-economic transformation and regional integration.