As Prime Minister Narendra Modi touched down in the Maldives on his first official visit since the 2024 diplomatic tensions that arose from the tourism dispute, a massive symbol of India’s enduring friendship with the island nation is rising from the ocean. Known as the Thilamalé Bridge, this impressive structure is officially titled the Greater Malé Connectivity Project (GMCP). Stretching 6.74 kilometres, it is not only the longest bridge ever built in the Maldives but also one of the largest development projects ever undertaken in the country, entirely funded and constructed by India through financial aid and technical expertise.

This ambitious infrastructure marvel is designed to link four key islands of the Maldives: Malé, Villingili, Gulhifalhu, and Thilafushi. The bridge system uses a mix of bridge spans, viaducts, and roads to create smooth and direct connectivity between the islands—an engineering feat that reflects India’s growing role in the development of its close maritime neighbour.

India’s Biggest Infrastructure Gift to the Maldives

So far, over 60% of the bridge construction is complete, and the full project is on track to be finished by September 2026. A major milestone has already been achieved with the completion of piling work, which involved successfully installing 263 piles, both onshore and offshore, providing the foundational strength required for the mammoth structure.

Currently, the segment erection phase is underway, involving the installation of precast bridge segments. Each of these concrete blocks measures 8.32 metres in height, 25.37 metres in width, and weighs a staggering 240 metric tonnes—placing them among the tallest precast segments ever created globally.

A standout feature of the project is the installation of the world’s highest precast segment, which took place in April this year. According to the Indian High Commission in Maldives, this massive component is 8.23 metres tall, 25.37 metres wide, and weighs 216.04 metric tonnes. They described it as an engineering marvel, showcasing India’s construction capabilities on a global stage.

The bridge also includes:

• Three navigation bridges, each with a 140-meter main span to allow safe passage for marine traffic between the islands,

• 1.41 km of marine viaduct through deep water,

• 2.32 km of marine viaduct through shallow water or built on land, and

• 2.96 km of at-grade roads for smooth surface travel.

The Thilamalé Bridge will join Malé with Villingili, Gulhifalhu, and Thilafushi—providing critical links that will support the Maldives' urban development and reduce the heavy strain on the overpopulated capital. Already, Malé is connected to Hulhulé and Hulhumale to the east via the China-funded Sinamalé Bridge, which is 1.39 km long. With the completion of the GMCP, six islands will now be interconnected through an integrated bridge network.

The segment from Malé to Villingili to Gulhifalhu is expected to be finished by March 2026, and the extension to Thilafushi by September 2026. Once operational, the bridge will help ease congestion in Malé, which currently houses around 40% of the country’s population, making it one of the densest urban areas in the world.

Additionally, this connectivity will boost local commerce and job opportunities. The Gulhifalhu island is being developed as a major port, while Thilafushi is being transformed into a key industrial zone. These zones, enabled by the bridge, are expected to create thousands of jobs for the youth and reduce dependency on Malé for employment.

Over time, the redistribution of the population is also expected to bring back some of Malé’s lost charm, making the capital cleaner, less congested, and more beautiful once again.

India’s Unmatched Support: Building Bridges with Super Low-Cost Funding

The Thilamalé Bridge project is a result of growing bilateral cooperation between India and the Maldives, first initiated during the visit of India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar to Malé in September 2019. What makes this project stand out is not just its scale or ambition, but also its financing structure—a unique blend of strategic support and low-cost development funding from India.

The bridge is entirely funded by India, combining both a grant and a low-interest loan. It is being executed by Afcons Infrastructure, a major Indian engineering company with years of experience in marine and transportation infrastructure. Afcons is part of the reputed Shapoorji Pallonji Group, well-known for its contributions to large-scale construction projects.

The total estimated cost of the bridge is approximately $500 million, which comes to around MVR 7.7 billion. The official contract was signed in August 2021, setting in motion one of the Maldives’ most transformative development efforts.

India’s financial commitment is broken down into a $100 million grant provided directly by the Government of India. The remaining $400 million is being made available as a Line of Credit through the EXIM Bank of India. This loan comes with extremely favourable terms, including a five-year grace period before repayment begins, an interest rate of just 1.75%, and a 20-year repayment schedule.

This generous aid did not go unnoticed. Mohamed Nasheed, who was then the President of Maldives, openly praised the move by calling it a “super low cost development assistance” from India. In a public statement, he had tweeted:
“The super low cost development assistance announced by @DrSJaishankar today is exactly what Maldives needs. Genuine help from a friend, to help us build critical infrastructure. Rather than eye-wateringly expensive commercial loans that leaves the nation mired in debt.”

What makes this arrangement especially meaningful is its hybrid model. While the Maldives benefits from Indian funds and expertise, it still retains ownership and control over the project. India’s role also goes beyond just money—it includes technical support, marine engineering guidance, and deployment of skilled workforce to ensure the bridge is built to global standards.

A Different Model: Transparent and Inclusive, Unlike China’s Projects

India’s assistance to the Maldives sets a new benchmark in international development cooperation. Unlike China-funded infrastructure ventures, which often rely almost entirely on Chinese workers and imported materials, the Thilamalé Bridge project is engaging Maldivian workers and sourcing local materials. This creates employment opportunities and economic activity within the Maldives itself, making the project not only a development tool but also a source of empowerment for the local population.

Another critical difference lies in financial transparency. India’s funding details were made public from the outset—the grant-to-loan ratio of 1:4, the interest rate, and repayment terms are clearly stated. This stands in stark contrast to many Chinese-led projects, where loan terms, repayment clauses, and costs remain undisclosed, raising concerns about potential debt traps and economic dependency.

Through its open and inclusive approach, India ensures that the infrastructure it helps build does not become a burden for its neighbours. Instead, it strengthens their independence and long-term growth.

A Bridge of Steel, Trust, and Regional Leadership

The Thilamalé Bridge is more than a concrete structure connecting islands—it is a powerful statement of trust and collaboration between two close neighbours. As the bridge rises over the Indian Ocean, it reflects India’s strategic vision for the region—one built on mutual respect, cooperation, and local development, rather than dominance or coercion.

This project is not an isolated gesture. India has been a constant development partner for the Maldives, actively involved in building roads, ports, housing units, water systems, and sanitation facilities through multiple High Impact Community Development Projects (HICDPs). These efforts go hand-in-hand with India's wider strategy to build strong and stable ties with its neighbours.

Prime Minister Modi’s current visit also marks a turning point in the Indo-Maldivian relationship, following a phase of political strain under President Mohamed Muizzu. Muizzu initially tilted towards China, but recent actions suggest he is now aiming for balanced diplomacy, seeking to rebuild traditional ties with India.

Against this backdrop, the Thilamalé Bridge emerges as a symbol of renewed friendship and a living example of India’s “Neighbourhood First” policy. As construction continues over the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean, the bridge speaks not just of cement and steel—but of shared progress, mutual trust, and a vision of regional stability led by partnership, not patronage.