Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s 3 day visit to Maldives begins today

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will reach Maldives on 1st May 2023 as part of his 3 day visit to the archipelago nation.

He is scheduled to hold bilateral talks with his Maldivian counterpart to review the entire gamut of defence relations between the two countries.

During his stay, Mr. Singh will gift a Fast Patrol Vessel ship and a Landing Craft to the Maldives National Defence Forces, highlighting India's commitment to capacity building of friendly countries and partners in the region.

The visit is also an important landmark in building strong bonds of friendship between the two countries. India and the Maldives are working closely to effectively address shared challenges, including maritime security, terrorism, radicalisation, piracy, trafficking, organised crime and natural disasters.

India's vision of SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) along with its ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy as well as Maldives’ ‘India First’ policy seek to work together to jointly develop the capabilities within the Indian Ocean Region.

The minister will also visit ongoing project sites and interact with the Indian diaspora during his visit to the Maldives.