New Delhi: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh was accorded a warm welcome on his arrival in the Maldives Monday with his Maldivian counterpart Mariya Didi receiving him at the Velana airport in the North Male Atoll, reflecting the importance the island nation has attached to the visit.
Chief of Maldivian defence forces Major General Abdhulla Shamaal and several other senior officials were among those who welcomed Singh at the airport located near capital city Male.
“The visit of Rajnath Singh represents a significant milestone in the relationship between the two countries as it brings a new level of dynamism and impetus to the already existing defence ties,” the Maldivian defence ministry said.
During his May 1-3 visit, Singh will handover to the Maldivian defence forces a fast patrol vessel and a landing craft as India’s “gift” to help them enhance maritime surveillance.
“Upon his arrival at the Velana International Airport, the Defence Minister of India was welcomed by his Maldivian counterpart Mariya Didi, accompanied by the Chief of Defence Force Major General Abdhulla Shamaal,” it said in a statement.
The two defence ministers will hold bilateral talks to enhance defence cooperation and strengthen the “long-standing defence and security partnership” between India and the Maldives, it added.
“Minister Rajnath Singh and Minister Didi will attend a formal ceremony to hand over an Offshore Patrol Vessel, along with an assault landing craft and inaugurate the development project of the MNDF Coast Guard Harbour and repair facility at Sifavaru,” it said.
Singh will also call on Maldivian President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and hold talks with Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid.
Happy to have met with Maldives’ Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Abdulla Shahid in Male today. pic.twitter.com/Ak3tAIkbBX
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) May 1, 2023
The Indian High Commission said the entire gamut of bilateral defence relations will be reviewed during Singh’s visit. Several official engagements are planned which will further enhance the strong India-Maldives defence partnership, it said.
It is Singh’s first visit to the Maldives as the defence minister.
The Maldives is one of India’s key maritime neighbours in the Indian Ocean Region and the overall bilateral ties including in areas of defence and security have been on an upward trajectory in the last few years.
In August last year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Maldivian President Solih kick-started the India-funded Greater Male connectivity project, billed as the largest infrastructure initiative in the island nation.
Under the Greater Male Connectivity Project (GMCP) project, a 6.74-km-long bridge and causeway link will be built to connect the capital city Male with adjoining islands of Villingli, Gulhifalhu and Thilafushi.
The Maldives is also one of the biggest beneficiaries of India’s Neighbourhood First policy.
Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane visited the Maldives last month during which he held talks with his Maldivian counterpart Major General Abdulla Shamaal. Aramane is also accompanying Singh.
PTI