Sustaining ‘Raksha’ on military grounds, India and Maldives vow to deepen maritime security and counter-terror cooperation

New Delhi, January 25: Reiterating India’s commitment to contribute towards capacity building and training requirements of the Maldives requirement force, Raksha Mantri Nirmala Sithraman and Maldives counterpart Mariya Ahmed Didi discuss areas to strengthen their maritime security and give momentum to overall military ties.

India and Maldives on Thursday resolved to deepen their maritime security cooperation and give a new momentum to overall military ties. In a statement, the defence ministry described the talks as "substantive" and said that the two countries will continue their counter-terror cooperation.

"India and Maldives held substantive discussions on further strengthening bilateral defence cooperation here today. Both side agreed that the two countries would continue their traditionally close cooperation on issues of maritime security, counter-terrorism," it said.

 

In the talks, Nirmala Sitharaman reiterated India's commitment to contribute towards capacity building and training requirements of the Maldives national defence forces, the officials said.

The issue of maritime security cooperation figured prominently during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's talks with Maldivian President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih. The two countries had agreed to remain mindful of each other's concerns and aspirations for the stability of the Indian Ocean region and not allow their respective territories to be used for any activity inimical to their interests.

It is Maldives Defence Minitser Mariya Ahmed Didi's first visit to India after becoming defence minister around four months back. The second round of the India-Maldives Defence Cooperation Dialogue was also held on Thursday.