Rajnath Singh gifts patrol vessel, landing craft to Male, says ties 'truly special'

NEW DELHI: Defence minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday handed over a fast patrol vessel and a landing craft to the Maldives, even as he and Maldivian President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih discussed ways to further boost the already close bilateral strategic ties during his ongoing visit there.
Concurrently, IAF chief Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari held talks with Sri Lanka's top military leadership in Colombo, while also presenting AN-32 propellers to ensure high operational readiness of the medium-lift aircraft of the Sri Lankan Air Force.
The two high-level visits, along with help in capacity-building of their armed forces, come amid China's ever-expanding inroads in the Indian Ocean Region countries.
In Male, Singh said, "The India-Maldives relationship is truly special. It has withstood the test of time and we have always supported each other in the hours of need."
There is a need for India, the Maldives and other like-minded nations to enhance cooperation to address the common challenges of the IOR. "We must ensure a collaborative effort, towards ensuring the maritime expanse of the Indian Ocean is peaceful and the resources therein are optimally harnessed," he said.
Noting that India has significantly enhanced its defence production capabilities, Singh said New Delhi offers "an enhanced defence partnership" to friendly foreign countries, that is accommodative of their national priorities.
On Monday, Singh had also held talks with his Maldivian counterpart Mariya Didi and foreign minister Abdulla Shahid with a special focus on expanding the bilateral ties.