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Maldives Defence Minister to Visit India for Strategic Talks

2 minutes read

Maldives Defence Minister to Visit India for Strategic Talks

2 minutes read

Maldives Defence Minister Mohammed Ghassan Maumoon is set to arrive in India on Wednesday, January 8, 2025, for a three-day visit aimed at bolstering bilateral defence ties. His visit includes a key meeting with Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in New Delhi to review and expand defence cooperation.

The discussions will cover a range of collaborative efforts such as military training, joint exercises, and the supply of defence equipment to strengthen the Maldives National Defence Forces (MNDF). Additionally, Maumoon’s itinerary includes visits to Goa and Mumbai.

This visit follows closely on the heels of a diplomatic engagement where Maldives Foreign Minister Abdullah Khaleel met with India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in New Delhi from January 2-4, 2025. The ministers reviewed the progress on agreements made during the October 2024 summit between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Mohamed Muizzu, focusing on deepening economic and maritime security collaboration.

EAM Jaishankar emphasized India’s unwavering support for Maldives, underscoring the Maldives’ significance in India’s “Neighbourhood First” policy. He expressed India’s commitment to contributing to the Maldives’ progress and prosperity. A significant outcome from the Khaleel-Jaishankar meeting was the signing of an MoU for High Impact Community Development Projects – Phase-III, which will be funded through Indian grants.

The October 2024 meeting between Modi and Muizzu in New Delhi was pivotal in setting a roadmap for enhanced maritime and security cooperation. Key decisions included India’s support in providing defence platforms and assets to the MNDF, along with enhancing surveillance capabilities through radar systems and other equipment.

India and Maldives share deep-rooted connections in spirituality, history, language, and ethnicity. The Maldives holds a strategic position within India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy, aimed at ensuring stability and prosperity in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). Both countries are vital for maintaining regional safety and security, aligning with India’s vision of “Security and Growth for All in the Region” (SAGAR).

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