Maldives Top Military Commander calls on DCOAS (Strat)

New Delhi: The Director General, DIS, Maldives National Defence Force Brigadier Gen Abdulla Zuhury on Thursday called on Deputy Chief of the Army Staff (Strategic) Lt Gen MV Suchindra Kumar in New Delhi. During the meeting both the military leaders discussed ways to enhance defence engagements to include joint training, infrastructure & equipment support between the two Armies.

The Indian Army in a tweet said, "Brig Gen Abdulla Zuhury, Director General, DIS, Maldives National Defence Force called on Lt Gen MV Suchindra Kumar #DCOAS(Strat) and discussed ways to enhance defence engagements to include joint training, infrastructure & equipment support between two Armies."

Both the countries share strong defence ties. The Maldives is one of India's key maritime neighbours in the Indian Ocean Region and the bilateral defence and security ties have been on an upward trajectory in the couple few years.

Besides, they also share ethnic, linguistic, cultural, religious and commercial links steeped in antiquity and enjoy close, cordial and multi-dimensional relations. Relations between India and Maldives have been traditionally warm.

India was among the first to recognise the Maldives after its independence in 1965 and to establish diplomatic relations with the country.

The Maldives was the first beneficiary of India's Vaccine Maitri initiative. However, during Abdulla Yameen's presidency bilateral relations frayed, especially with Maldives' economic and strategic relations with China growing rapidly.

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