India, Maldives agree to ramp up defence cooperation

Ramping up defence cooperation with Maldives, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today promised the archipelago nation all possible help, including development of ports, training and capacity building of its armed forces besides supply of equipment and maritime surveillance.
Following delegation-level talks between Modi and visiting Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom, both countries agreed on an action plan for the critical sector as the Prime Minister pitched India as "net security provider" in the Indian Ocean Region.
Modi said it is in India's strategic interest to have a stable and secure Maldives and that its challenges are India's concerns.
Reiterating India's role as a "net security provider" in the Indian Ocean, Modi asserted that the country is ready to protect its strategic interests in this region.

On his part, Yameen said his country pursues an "India first" foreign policy and described it as "most important friend" of Maldives.
After the talks, an "Action Plan" for defence cooperation was signed which envisages institutional mechanism at the level of the Defence Secretaries to further strengthen bilateral defence cooperation.

It includes development of ports, continuous training, capacity building, supply of equipment and maritime surveillance.
It reflects the shared strategic and security interests of the two countries in the Indian Ocean region.
In the talks it was also agreed that India will set up a police academy, build the Defence Ministry building of Maldives besides speeding up infrastructure projects relating to security.

The development comes at a time when the Chinese are increasing their footprint in the Maldives.
China is funding several infrastructure projects across the Maldives.
The Maldivian government's electoral pledges, like building a bridge between capital Male and the airport island of Hulhule and development of its main international airport, also hinges on soft loans being considered by Beijing.