Indian defence minister arrives in Maldives on 3-day visit

Indian defence minister Rajnath Singh arrived in Maldives on Monday for a three-day visit.

His Maldivian counterpart Mariya Ahmed Didi and army chief Abdulla Shamal welcomed Singh when he arrived at the Maldives' main Velana International Airport Monday afternoon. 

In a statement, the Maldivian defence ministry said Singh's three-day visit will be an important landmark in building strong bonds of friendship between the two countries.

During his visit, Singh will call on Maldivian President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and hold talks with foreign minister Abdulla Shahid and defence minister Mariya. The entire gamut of defence relations between the two countries will be reviewed, the ministry added.

Singh will gift one fast patrol vessel ship and a landing craft to the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF).

The Maldives is one of India's key maritime neighbours in the Indian Ocean region and the overall bilateral ties, including in the areas of defence and security, have been on an upward trajectory in the last few years.

Indian defence secretary Giridhar Aramane visited the Maldives last month and held talks with his Maldivian counterpart, Major General Abdulla Shamaal.