MALÉ, Maldives (CU)_India and Maldives agreed to strengthen defence and security collaboration between the two countries, and to maintain peace and stability in the Indian Ocean Region.
During India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar’s visit to the archipelagic state on Sunday (Feb 21), the parties also signed a defence Line of Credit agreement worth $50 million. Jaishankar said in a social media message that the pact will “facilitate capability building in the maritime domain”.
According to a joint statement issued by the parties, defence and security cooperation between the two countries will focus on combating terrorism and therefore, the officials agreed to convene the first meeting of the Joint Working Group on Counter Terrorism, countering Violent Extremism and De-radicalisation on the earliest possible date.
During his visit, Minister Jaishankar discussed with his Maldivian counterpart Abdulla Shahid regarding collaboration at multilateral bodies such as the General Assembly and the Security Council. It is reported that the Maldivian official assured Delhi of its support for India’s permanent membership at the “expanded and reformed” UN Security Council.
India’s External Affairs Minister also reviewed a number of India-backed infrastructure projects in Maldives, including the National College of Policing and Law Enforcement Studies, which is likely to be inaugurated in April this year.
The recent two-day visit by Minister Jaishankar was his second ministerial trip, as he last visited the Maldives in September 2019 to participate in the Indian Ocean Conference.
