Two military navy vessels from Japan have arrived in the Maldives.

According to the Embassy of Japan in the Maldives, Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force’s mine sweeper URAGA and AWAJI arrived in the Maldives on Wednesday.

The two Japanese military vessels have arrived in the Maldives as part of the Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force’s Indo-Pacific and Middle East Deployment 2023.

The Japanese embassy went on to reveal that the Self-Defense Fleet contributes to the peace and stability of the Indo-Pacific region.

The visit is also expected to deepen and solidify the bilateral relations between Maldives and Japan.

As part of the visit, meetings and engagements are to be carried out with the leadership of the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF).

As part of efforts to welcome the fleet, Principal Director of the MNDF Coast Guard, Lieutenant Colonel Mohamed Rizmee Waleed visited the two mine sweepers and met with the officials onboard.

The meeting was joined by staff officers of the MNDF Coast Guard as well.