India and Maldives Strengthen Defence Ties, Discuss 'Comprehensive Economic & Maritime Security Partnership'
Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh and Defence Minister Mohamed Ghassan Maumoon hold key bilateral talks to enhance security collaboration and support.
Pramod
New Delhi – In a major step toward deepening defence and security cooperation, India’s Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh and the Defence Minister of the Maldives, Mr Mohamed Ghassan Maumoon, held important bilateral discussions in New Delhi today. The talks centered around strengthening the ‘Comprehensive Economic & Maritime Security Partnership’ between the two countries.
Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing the strategic relationship between India and the Maldives, particularly in defence preparedness. During the discussions, Raksha Mantri Singh reiterated India’s readiness to assist the Maldives in enhancing its defence capabilities, including providing advanced defence platforms and assets, in alignment with India’s ‘Neighborhood First’ policy and the broader vision of SAGAR (Security And Growth for All in the Region).
Minister Maumoon expressed gratitude for India’s long-standing support to the Maldives, especially in enhancing its infrastructural capacities and the training of defence and security personnel. The Defence Minister of the Maldives also acknowledged India’s pivotal role as the ‘First Responder’ in times of need.
As part of the continued engagement between the two nations, India has also handed over vital defence equipment and supplies to the Maldives, further cementing the bond between the two nations. This marks Minister Maumoon’s first official visit to India and provides an opportunity to take their defence and security relations to new heights for mutual benefit and to ensure greater stability in the Indian Ocean Region.
