AnyTV News Defense Minister of Maldives will come to India, many issues including defense will be discussed -

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Maldives Defense Minister Ghassan Maumoon

New Delhi: Maldives Defense Minister Ghassan Maumoon will arrive on a three-day visit to India on Wednesday. The purpose of Maumoon’s visit is to further strengthen bilateral relations amid the improvement in relations between the two countries. Maumoon will hold extensive talks with Defense Minister Rajnath Singh in the national capital. He will also meet many senior officials. The ministers of the island country are visiting here, almost eight months after India withdrew its military personnel from Maldives on the demand of President Mohammad Muizzu.

Maumoon will also visit Goa and Mumbai

The Defense Ministry said that Defense Minister Rajnath Singh will hold a bilateral meeting with Maumoon in New Delhi on January 8. It said the two ministers ‘will review various aspects of bilateral defense cooperation including training, exercises and defense projects as well as supply of defense equipment to enhance the capability of the Maldives National Defense Force. The ministry said, “Maldives holds a special place in India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy. The objective of this policy is to bring stability and prosperity in the Indian Ocean region.” Ghassan Maumoon will also visit Goa and Mumbai.

Maldives is India’s main maritime neighbor

Maldives is one of India’s major maritime neighbors in the Indian Ocean region. Recent times have seen growth in overall bilateral relations between Maldives and India, including defence. However, relations were severely strained after Muizzu, considered a pro-China leader, assumed the presidency in November 2023. Within hours of taking oath, Muizzu had asked for withdrawal of Indian military personnel from Maldives. Tension in relations eased after Muizzu pledged to strengthen bilateral ties with India during his visit to Delhi in October. (Language)