New Delhi, Jan 7: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is set to hold a bilateral meeting with his Maldivian counterpart, Defence Minister Mohammed Ghassan Maumoon, in New Delhi on Wednesday, January 8, 2025.
The talks and discussions will focus on increasing defence ties between India and the Maldives. They are likely to include into their agenda enhancing training programs, joint exercises, defence projects, and the supply of equipment to improve the Maldives National Defence Forces’ capabilities.
The meeting marks a key moment in the three-day visit of the Maldivian Defence Minister, who will also travel to Goa and Mumbai during his stay in India.
The talks also aim to review progress on ongoing collaborations while exploring new avenues to deepen defence ties.
Despite strained relations last year, the Maldives is a critical partner in India’s Indian Ocean strategy, and these discussions reaffirm the shared commitment to regional security and stability.
This meeting follows last week’s bilateral discussions in New Delhi between India’s External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar, and Maldivian Foreign Minister, Abdulla Khaleel. Their dialogue focused on the progress made since the October 2024 state visit of Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu and addressed areas requiring additional attention.
High-Impact Development Projects and Vision SAGAR
During Khaleel’s visit, the two nations signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to implement High Impact Community Development Projects in the Maldives under Indian grant assistance. This initiative, part of Phase III of the program, highlights India’s focus on grassroots development and fostering sustainable growth in the region.
“India deeply values its relationship with the Maldives and remains committed to supporting its economic and maritime security goals,” Jaishankar said during the talks.
Khaleel expressed gratitude for India’s continued support, particularly its emergency financial assistance, referring to India as the Maldives “First Responder.” He reiterated the Maldives’ commitment to the Joint Vision for India-Maldives Comprehensive Economic and Maritime Security Partnership.
India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy and Vision SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) remain central to its relationship with the Maldives. Both nations play a pivotal role in securing the safety and security of the Indian Ocean Region to strengthen regional stability in the Indian Ocean and the surroundings.
With the ongoing collaboration between the two nations in various domains, including defence, foreign affairs, and community development, the upcoming bilateral meeting between Defence Ministers Rajnath Singh and Maumoon is expected to cement the strategic partnership further.
