India Maldives defence exchange: India and the Maldives are taking steps to strengthen their defence partnership, as Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh met with Maldives Defence Minister Mohammed Ghassan Maumoon in Delhi on Wednesday.
The discussions focused on improving maritime security, sharing information, and boosting the capability of the Maldives National Defence Forces (MNDF) through training.
As per WION, India also handed over defence equipment worth ₹35 crore (over $4 million) to the Maldives. This included utility vehicles and berthing items. Rajnath Singh said, “Several issues pertaining to deepening defence cooperation were discussed which would also help in enhancing the capability of Maldives National Defence Forces. Today’s discussions will add new vigour to India-Maldives relations.”
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One important project highlighted was the Ekatha Harbour Project at Sifavaru in the Uthuru Thila Falhu (UTF) atoll. Funded as part of India’s grant-in-aid, this project involves building a naval dockyard to strengthen the MNDF Coast Guard. The foundation stone for this project was laid in May 2023 by Rajnath Singh and then Maldives Defence Minister Mariya Didi.
During the talks, both ministers reaffirmed their commitment to the India-Maldives Comprehensive Economic and Maritime Security Partnership.
They also discussed extending the lease and maintaining Indian aviation platforms stationed in the Maldives. India provides platforms like the Dornier aircraft, used for surveillance and medical emergencies. Rajnath Singh invited Minister Maumoon to attend Aero India 2025 in Bengaluru next month.
This was the first defence ministerial visit from the Maldives since President Muizzu’s government took office in November 2023. Relations between India and the Maldives have improved in recent months, especially after President Muizzu visited India last year and India’s External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar visited the Maldives. The Maldives has distanced itself from the earlier “India Out” campaign, which was linked to former President Yameen.
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They also discussed Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR), joint military exercises, and the Maldives Coastal Radar System. India had previously provided the radar system with 10 stations to enhance maritime security in the Indian Ocean Region. Dr. Jaishankar handed over this system to the Maldives’ Chief of Defence Force, Maj Gen Abdulla Shamaal, in March 2022.
The defence minister said that the 2 minsters have reviewed the various aspect of the defence ties and security cooperation.
“During the talks, both sides reasserted the firm commitment to work closely in realising the joint vision for India-Maldives Comprehensive Economic and Maritime Security Partnership,” it said, as per News18.
