NEW DELHI: India and the Maldives on Friday discussed expediting implementation of various ongoing defence cooperation projects in the archipelago, in a development that comes soon after external affairs minister S Jaishankar visited Male last month amid the strain in bilateral ties.
The 5th defence cooperation dialogue, with Indian defence secretary Giridhar Aramane and Maldives’ chief of national defence force General Ibrahim Hilmy leading the delegation-level talks here, extensively reviewed matters related to bilateral defence cooperation.
“The two sides also deliberated on some other areas of common interest such as high-level military exchanges and capability development projects. The participation in the forthcoming bilateral military exercise was also discussed,” an official said. “The entire range of talks were productive, and will advance shared interests of the two nations in the near future and bring stability and prosperity in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR),” he added.
During his visit, Jaishankar had also assured the top leadership of the Maldives that the country remained an important partner of India in maintaining peace and stability in the IOR. Since the pro-China Mohamed Muizzu govt came to office in Male last November, bilateral relations with India have become strained. Apart from signing a defence cooperation pact with China, the Muizzu govt forced India to withdraw its military personnel operating a Dornier-228 maritime aircraft and two ‘Dhruv’ advanced light helicopters in the archipelago.
The 5th defence cooperation dialogue, with Indian defence secretary Giridhar Aramane and Maldives’ chief of national defence force General Ibrahim Hilmy leading the delegation-level talks here, extensively reviewed matters related to bilateral defence cooperation.
“The two sides also deliberated on some other areas of common interest such as high-level military exchanges and capability development projects. The participation in the forthcoming bilateral military exercise was also discussed,” an official said. “The entire range of talks were productive, and will advance shared interests of the two nations in the near future and bring stability and prosperity in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR),” he added.
During his visit, Jaishankar had also assured the top leadership of the Maldives that the country remained an important partner of India in maintaining peace and stability in the IOR. Since the pro-China Mohamed Muizzu govt came to office in Male last November, bilateral relations with India have become strained. Apart from signing a defence cooperation pact with China, the Muizzu govt forced India to withdraw its military personnel operating a Dornier-228 maritime aircraft and two ‘Dhruv’ advanced light helicopters in the archipelago.