NEW DELHI: India and the Maldives will discuss steps to strengthen defence cooperation in a meeting between defence minister Rajnath Singh and his counterpart Mohammed Ghassan Maumoon here on Wednesday, amid the ongoing thaw in bilateral relations.
“The two ministers will review the various facets of bilateral defence cooperation, including training, regular exercises, defence projects, workshops and seminars to enhance the capability of the Maldives National Defence Forces as well as supply of defence equipment and stores,” a defence ministry official said.
Maumoon’s three-day visit, during which he will also go to Mumbai and Goa, comes soon after Maldivian foreign minister Abdulla Khaleel’s visit here last week. In Oct, Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu had visited India for bilateral talks with PM Modi.
“India and the Maldives share spiritual, historical, linguistic and ethnic ties. The Maldives occupies a special place in India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy, which aims to bring stability and prosperity in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR),” the official said. “Both nations are also key players in maintaining safety and security of IOR, thus contributing to India’s vision of security and growth for all in the region.”
