India, Maldives firm strategic ties

Indian Army Chief, General Bipin Rawat met Maldivian President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, who hailed efforts to revitalise the bilateral defence and strategic cooperation between the two countries. Rawat was on a five-day official visit to the Maldives in end September, aimed at giving a boost to military ties at a time when China is making aggressive moves to make inroads in the Indian Ocean archipelago nation.

“The Maldivian President, besides hailing long-standing Indo-Maldives friendship, commended the joint efforts of both Armed Forces at enhancing and revitalising the bilateral defence cooperation,” the Indian Army said in a statement. Rawat also met Maldivian Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid to discuss ways to make the Indian Ocean Region a conflict-free zone. He also handed over a fleet of transport vehicles to the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) in order to help it increase its operational capability.