Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to visit Maldives

Tags: International Relations International News

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is set to embark on athree-day official visit to Maldives on 30th April. 

An overview of the news

• During the visit, Rajnath Singh will hold bilateral talkswith Maldivian Defense Minister Ms. Maria Ahmed Didi and Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid.

• All aspects of defense relations between the two countries will be reviewed during the consultations.

• Rajnath Singh will also meet Maldivian President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.

• In line with India's commitment to capacity building of friendly countries and partners in the region, Rajnath Singh will gift a Fast Patrol Vessel ship and a landing craft to the Maldivian National Defense Forces.

• India and Maldives are working together to effectively address common challenges including maritime security, terrorism, radicalism, piracy, smuggling, organized crime and natural disasters.

• India's vision of SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) along with its ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy as well as Maldives’ ‘India First’ policy seek to work together to jointly develop the capabilities within the Indian Ocean Region.

About Maldives

• It is also called Maldives Islands, an independent island country in the north-central Indian Ocean.

• It extends more than 510 miles (820 km) from north to south and 80 miles (130 km) from east to west.

• Basis of economy -fisheries, tourism

• Industries - handicraft or cottage including the making of coir (coconut-husk fibre) and coir products, fish canning, and boatbuilding.

• Capital -Male

• President -Ibrahim Mohamed Solih

• Official Language - Dhivehi (Maldivian)

• Official Religion - Islam

• Currency -Rufiyaa