On Wednesday, India and the Maldives reiterated the importance of preserving peace, stability, and security in the Indian Ocean and upholding international law and rules-based international order amidst China’s growing influence in the strategically vital region. Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, who visited Male on the invitation of his Maldivian counterpart Mariya Didi, also laid the foundation stone for the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) Ekatha harbor in Male, in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of Security And Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR).
Singh and Didi held bilateral talks to strengthen defense cooperation and bolster the longstanding partnership between the two countries. They discussed regional and global security issues of mutual concern and agreed to deepen cooperation in the defense and security domains. They recognized the need to work together to address common security challenges and expressed their commitment to upholding the principles of international law and the rules-based international order.
The Maldivian defense minister described Singh’s visit as a “major milestone in the bilateral defense cooperation engagements” between the two countries. They welcomed the progress made in ongoing defense cooperation, including joint exercises and exchanges of visits by military officials. They also discussed the need to share best practices and expertise in counter-terrorism, disaster management, cyber security, and maritime security.
During his visit, Singh gifted MNDF an additional Landing Craft, and they attended a ceremony to commission the replacement ship for Harvey. Singh’s visit renewed the commitment of the two friendly neighbors to enhance the security and prosperity of their respective countries and the region. Both parties reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening their countries’ partnership and expressed their desire to continue the dialogue and cooperation in the future.
