India to hand-over fast Patrol Vessel ship & landing Craft to Maldives

Tags: International Relations International News

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will hand over a fast patrol vessel and a landing craft to the Maldives as India’s “gift” during his visit to the island nation from May 1 to 3.

An overview of the news

• It will be an “important landmark” in building “strong bonds” of friendship between the two countries.

• Maldives is one of India's major maritime neighbors in the Indian Ocean region and overall bilateral relations between the two countries, including in the areas of defense and security, have been on the rise over the years.

• Singh will also review the implementation of various India-aided projects in the Maldives and interact with the Indian expatriate.

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

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