India, Maldives agree to continue close cooperation on maritime security

India and Maldives have agreed to continue their traditionally close cooperation on issues of maritime security, counter-terrorism and medical cooperation. 

This was decided during the meeting between Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and her Maldivian counterpart  Mariya Ahmed Didi in New Delhi on Thursday. 

Both sides held substantive discussions on further strengthening bilateral defence cooperation. 

Ms  Sitharaman reiterated India’s commitment to contribute towards capacity building and training requirements of the Maldives National Defence Forces.

Ms  Didi is in India on an official visit and she will witness the 70th



Republic Day Parade at Rajpath. 

She will also visit various Indian defence institutions such as the Indian Maritime Analysis Centre in Gurugram and Army Training Command in Shimla. 

She will also interact with National Cadet Corps (NCC) cadets, including those from the Maldives, at the NCC Republic Day Camp. 

According to an official release, the second round of the India-Maldives Defence Cooperation Dialogue was also held on Thursday.

The Indian delegation was headed by Defence Secretary  Sanjay Mitra and Maldivian side was led by Chief of Defence Forces of Maldives Major General Abdulla Shamaal.