NEW DELHI: On January 8, 2025, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh met with his Maldivian counterpart, Mohamed Ghassan Maumoon, in New Delhi to bolster defence ties between India and the Maldives. The discussions focused on enhancing the capabilities of the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) through training, joint exercises, and the provision of defence equipment.
Singh reaffirmed India’s commitment to supporting the Maldives as a trusted partner, emphasizing the special place the island nation holds in India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy. He stated, “India will continue to support the Maldives and the MNDF in their capacity-building efforts through projects, equipment, and training.”
The meeting also underscored the importance of both nations in maintaining security in the Indian Ocean Region, aligning with India’s vision of ‘Security and Growth for All in the Region’ (SAGAR). The ministers reviewed ongoing defence cooperation initiatives and explored new avenues to further strengthen their partnership.
This engagement follows the recent visit of Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu to India, which provided a new orientation to the bilateral relationship. The Joint Vision Document released during that visit serves as a guiding principle for both countries in their collaborative efforts.
Source: PIB, NEWDELHI
Web Team, C6N
