India and Maldives held substantive discussions on further strengthening bilateral defence cooperation here today. Both sides agreed that the two countries would continue their traditionally close cooperation on issues of maritime security, counter-terrorism and medical cooperation.
Defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman reiterated India’s commitment to contribute towards capacity building and training requirements of the Maldives National Defence Forces.
Earlier, Defence minister received Maldivian Defence Minister Ms Mariya Ahmed Didi at South Block here today who is in India on an official bilateral visit. Chief of the Army Staff General Bipin Rawat, Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal B S Dhanoa, Vice Chief of the Naval Staff Vice Admiral Ajit Kumar P and Additional Director General of the Indian Coast Guard VSR Murthy call on the Maldivian Defence Minister.
Ms Didiwill witness the 70th Republic Day Parade at Rajpath as well as visit various Indian defence institutions such as the Indian Maritime Analysis Centre in Gurugram and Army Training Command in Shimla. She will also interact with National Cadet Corps (NCC) cadets, including those from the Maldives, at the NCC Republic Day Camp.
The second round of the India-Maldives Defence Cooperation Dialogue was also held today. The Indian delegation was headed by Defence Secretary Shri Sanjay Mitra and Maldivian side was led by Chief of Defence Forces of Maldives Major General Abdulla Shamaal.
