New Delhi, May 1

Indian defence minister Rajnath Singh arrived in Maldives on May 01, 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 Rajnath Singh upon arrival at the airport.

Later, the two defence ministers held bilateral delegation-level talks. 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.

Rajnath Singh 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. He will call on the President of Maldives Mr Ibrahim Mohamed Solih tomorrow.