Mohammed Ghassan Maumoon, the Defence Minister of the Maldives, is coming to India for a three-day visit to improve the friendship between the two countries. This visit starts on Wednesday. Maumoon will meet with India’s Defence Minister, Rajnath Singh, and talk about important issues in New Delhi.
This visit comes after India recently pulled out its military personnel from the Maldives following a request from the new president, Mohamed Muizzu, who favors closer ties with China. The two ministers will discuss training, military exercises, and defence projects to help strengthen the Maldives’ defense forces and provide necessary equipment.
The Maldives is important in India’s “Neighbourhood First” plan, which aims to create peace and prosperity in the Indian Ocean. Both countries work together to ensure safety in this area, contributing to India’s vision of “Security and Growth for All in the Region.”
During his visit, Maumoon will also travel to Goa and Mumbai. The Maldives is a key neighbor in the Indian Ocean, and relations were strong under the previous Maldivian government. However, ties became tense when Muizzu, who prefers China, took over in November 2023. His first action was to ask for the Indian military’s departure, which was later replaced by civilians. Recently, Muizzu has shown willingness to improve ties with India, especially after his visit to Delhi in October.
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