India and Maldives Strengthen Bilateral Ties with Economic and Maritime Security Partnership

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President of the Maldives Mohamed Muizzu engaged in extensive bilateral talks to establish a comprehensive economic and maritime security partnership. They recognized the shared challenges in the Indian Ocean Region and committed to enhancing maritime and security cooperation. India pledged to provide expertise, boost capabilities, and collaborate on joint measures to combat traditional and non-traditional maritime threats such as piracy, illegal fishing, drug trafficking, and terrorism within the Maldives’ Exclusive Economic Zone. Additionally, India agreed to support the timely completion of the Maldives National Defence Force’s ‘Ekatha’ harbour project at Uthuru Thila Falhu.

In a further display of cooperation, India will construct a modern building for the Maldivian Ministry of Defence in Male and enhance training capacity for the Maldives’ security organizations under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation program. The signing of the Charter of the Colombo Security Conclave solidified the commitment of both nations to ensuring a safe and peaceful Indian Ocean Region. Beyond defense collaboration, India will launch initiatives to empower women entrepreneurs in the Maldives and establish a Start-up Incubator-Accelerator to foster youth potential and bolster the island nation’s economy.

President Muizzu’s visit to India, which began on Sunday, included a ceremonial reception at Rashtrapati Bhavan where he was welcomed by President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The visit underscores the strong bilateral ties between India and the Maldives, with a focus on defense cooperation, economic development, and regional security in the Indian Ocean.

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