Maldives and India have held discussions on ways to step up military and security cooperation.
The discussions took place in New Delhi during a meeting between visiting Maldivian Chief of Defence Force Abdulla Shamaal and Minister of Defence of India Rajnath Singh and Indian Air Force chief BS Dhanoa. The defence officials discussed on ways Maldives can develop human resource in the sector.
Major General Shamaal's four-day visit to New Delhi is aimed at ramping up defence cooperation, reviewing joint exercises and strengthening maritime security. He is accompanied by a high-level delegation from various branches of the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) and will hold detailed discussions with a joint team of the Indian armed forces.
Major General Shamaal started his visit by paying tribute at India's War Memorial and will also visit Coimbatore, Wellington and Trivandrum during his 4-day visit to India.
Indian defence ministry described the visit as a valuable opportunity for rapport building at military level between the two countries.