GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 7th Oct. India and the Maldives, termed “natural partners,” on Monday committed to strengthening maritime and security cooperation to benefit both nations and the broader Indian Ocean Region. This commitment was outlined in a vision document, titled India and Maldives: A Vision for Comprehensive Economic and Maritime Security Partnership, following bilateral talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and visiting Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu in New Delhi.
The document emphasizes shared challenges in the Indian Ocean Region and highlights plans to advance joint efforts in various security domains. It mentions the soon-to-be-inaugurated state-of-the-art Maldivian Ministry of Defence (MoD) building in Male, constructed with Indian assistance, which will bolster the modern infrastructure of the Maldivian defense sector.
The Maldives, with its extensive Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), faces multiple maritime challenges, including illegal fishing, piracy, drug smuggling, and terrorism. As a “trusted and dependable partner,” India has committed to working closely with the Maldives to enhance capabilities and undertake joint measures addressing these challenges.
A significant project, the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) ‘Ekatha’ harbour project at Uthuru Thila Falhu (UTF), is underway with India’s assistance, aiming to enhance MNDF’s operational capabilities. Both countries agreed on the importance of its timely completion and have pledged full support.
The document outlines India’s provision of defense platforms, assets, and radar systems to improve MNDF’s surveillance, monitoring, and hydrographic capabilities. It also emphasizes increased capacity building through training programs for MNDF, Maldives Police Services, and other security organizations in India.
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, during a briefing, underscored the Maldives’ central role in India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy and SAGAR (Security And Growth for All in the Region) vision. He emphasized that the vision document serves as a blueprint for the enduring partnership between the two countries, built on people-to-people ties, trade, economic relations, and development cooperation.
Additionally, both sides agreed to enhance cooperation in disaster response and risk mitigation through the development of standard operating procedures (SOPs) and joint exercises for greater interoperability.
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