The governments of India and Maldives have agreed to explore new avenues for cooperation in the areas of defense trade, capacity building and joint exercises. 

The discussions in this trajectory were held during a courtesy call by the Indian Defense Minister Shri Rajnath Singh to his Maldivian counterpart Mariya Didi as part of his ongoing official visit to the Maldives.

Chief of Defense Force Major General Abdulla Shamaal, Deputy Defense Minister Hassan Zameel, Vice Chief of Defense Force Brigerida General Abdul Raheem Abdul Latheef were also in attendance at the meeting.

Both ministers discussed a wide range of regional and global security issues of mutual concern and agreed to further strengthen the cooperation in the defense and security domains.

They reaffirmed the importance of maintaining peace, stability, and security in the region, and recognized the need to work together to address common security challenges.

Indian Defense Minister Shri Rajnath Singh calls on his Maldivian counterpart Mariya Didi on May 1, 2023. (Photo/Defense Ministry)

Both ministers also underscored the importance of respecting international law and the rules-based international order and expressed their commitment to upholding these principles.

Specific to India-Maldives relations – both ministers welcomed the progress made in ongoing defense cooperation between the two countries including joint exercises and exchanges of visits by military officials. 

The importance of sharing best practices and expertise in areas such as counterterrorism, disaster management, cybersecurity, and maritime security was also stressed. They agreed on the importance of sharing best practices and expertise in areas such as counterterrorism, disaster management, cybersecurity, and maritime security.

Furthermore, both ministers discussed the need to promote people-to-people contacts and exchanges between the armed forces of both countries.

Indian Defense Minister Shri Rajnath Singh calls on his Maldivian counterpart Mariya Didi on May 1, 2023. (Photo/Defense Ministry)

Indian Defense Minister Shri Rajnath Singh arrived in the Maldives this afternoon on a three-day official visit at the invitation of his Maldivian counterpart, Mariya. It marks his first official visit to the Maldives since assuming the post.

He is scheduled to pay a courtesy call to President Ibrahim Mohmed Solih during these three days.

The Defense Ministry said in a statement that the visit represents “a significant milestone in the relationship between the two countries as it brings a new level of dynamism and impetuous to the already existing defense ties.