New Delhi: Despite recent strains in bilateral relations, India and the Maldives have taken a significant step towards strengthening their defence cooperation, focusing on expediting ongoing projects and addressing shared security concerns in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
The 5th defence cooperation dialogue held in Male, led by Indian Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane and Maldives’ Chief of National Defence Force General Ibrahim Hilmy, saw extensive discussions on bolstering bilateral defence partnerships.
The talks covered a wide range of areas, including high-level military exchanges, capability development projects, and participation in upcoming bilateral military exercises. According to the official statement, the dialogue between the neighbouring countries was productive and highlighted its potential to advance shared interests of both nations.
“The two sides also deliberated on few other areas of common interest such as high-level exchanges and capability development projects. The aspects of participation in forthcoming bilateral military exercise were also discussed. The entire range of talks were productive which will advance shared interests of both the nations in near future and bring stability & prosperity in the Indian Ocean Region,” Ministry of Defence said in a press statement.
The dialogue comes at a critical juncture following the election of the pro-China Mohamed Muizzu government in the Maldives last November, which has led to a noticeable shift in the country’s foreign policy stance. This shift has been evident in the Maldives’ decision to sign a defence cooperation pact with China and the subsequent withdrawal of Indian military personnel operating aircraft in the archipelago.
However, India has continued to reiterate its commitment to the Maldives as a key partner in ensuring peace and stability in the IOR. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar’s visit to Male last month reinforced this commitment, signalling a desire to address the emerging challenges and rebuild the strong bilateral relationship.
