India and Maldives on Thursday held a substantive discussions on further strengthening bilateral defence cooperation.
Both side agreed that the two countries would continue their traditionally close cooperation on issues of maritime security, counter-terrorism and medical cooperation, the defence ministry official said.
Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman reiterated India’s commitment to contribute towards capacity building and training requirements of the Maldives National Defence Forces.
Earlier, the minister received Maldivian Defence Minister Mariya Ahmed Didi in Delhi.
Army Chief General Bipin Rawat, Indian Air Force Chief 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 V S R Murthy called on the Maldivian Defence Minister.
Ms Didi will 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 Sanjay Mitra and Maldivian side was led by Chief of Defence Forces of Maldives Major General Abdulla Shamaal.
