Defence Minister Rajnath Singh & his Maldivian counterpart hold talks in Male to further strengthen bilateral defence & security ties

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh arrived in Maldives on May 1, 2023, on a 3-day official visit at the invitation of his Maldivian counterpart Mariya Ahmed Didi. As a special gesture, reflecting the warmth in the bilateral relations, the Defence Minister of Maldives broke protocol and personally received the Defence Minister upon arrival at the airport.

Later, the Defence Minister held bilateral delegation-level talks with the Maldivian Defence Minister. Issues of mutual defence cooperation and new initiatives to further strengthen defence and security partnership were discussed in the meeting. India will be handing over a Fast patrol vessel along with an assault landing craft to Maldivian Coast Guard in a formal ceremony on May 2, 2023.

The Defence Minister also held discussions with the Foreign Minister of Maldives Abdulla Shahid. Issues of ongoing bilateral defence and infrastructural development cooperation in Maldives by India were discussed.

The Defence Minister will call on the President of Maldives Ibrahim Mohamed Solih on May 2, 2023.