The talks will also
focus on the supply of defence equipment and stores to the Indian Ocean
archipelago
Defence minister Rajnath Singh will on Wednesday 8
Jan hold talks with his Maldivian counterpart Mohammed Ghassan Maumoon and
review various elements of bilateral defence cooperation, including training,
exercises, defence projects, workshops and seminars to enhance the capability
of the Maldives National Defence Force, the defence ministry said on Tuesday.
The talks will also focus on the supply of defence equipment and stores
to the Indian Ocean archipelago, it said in statement.
Maumoon is visiting India from January 8 to 10. His
visit comes days after India pledged its continued support for the Maldives
during talks between external affairs minister S Jaishankar and his Maldivian
counterpart Abdulla Khaleel, signalling
a growing thaw in bilateral relations that hit a rough patch last year.
“India and the Maldives share spiritual, historical, linguistic and
ethnic ties. The Maldives occupies
a special place in India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy, which aims to bring
stability and prosperity in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR),” the statement said.
Both nations are key players in maintaining safety
and security in the IOR and contributing to India’s vision of Security and
Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR), it added.