Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.
| Photo Credit: ANI
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will hand over a quick patrol vessel and a landing craft to the Maldives as India’s “gift” throughout his go to to the island nation from May 1 to 3.
The Defence Ministry mentioned this on Sunday, a day forward of Mr. Singh’s go to to the Maldives, certainly one of India’s strategically key maritime neighbours.
It mentioned Mr. Singh’s go to will likely be an “important landmark” in constructing sturdy bonds of friendship between the 2 international locations.
During his go to, Mr. Singh will name on Maldivian President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and maintain talks with Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid and Defence Minister Mariya Didi.
“In tune with India’s commitment to capacity building of friendly countries and partners in the region, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will gift one fast patrol vessel ship and a landing craft to the Maldives National Defence Forces,” the Ministry mentioned in a press release.
On Mr. Singh’s talks with the Maldivian Defence and Foreign Ministers, it mentioned your complete gamut of defence relations between the 2 international locations will likely be reviewed.
The Maldives is certainly one of India’s key maritime neighbours within the Indian Ocean area and the general bilateral ties, together with within the areas of defence and safety, have been on an upward trajectory in the previous few years.
In August final yr, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Maldivian President Solih kick-started the India-funded Greater Male Connectivity Project (GMCP), billed as the most important infrastructure initiative within the island nation.
Under the challenge, a 6.74-km-long bridge and causeway hyperlink will likely be constructed to join Maldivian capital Male with the adjoining islands of Villingli, Gulhifalhu and Thilafushi.
The Maldives can be one of many greatest beneficiaries of India’s Neighbourhood First coverage.
Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane visited the Maldives final month and held talks together with his Maldivian counterpart, Major General Abdulla Shamaal.
