India’s Chief of Army Staff General Bipin Rawat met with Chief of Defence Force, Major General Abdulla Shamaal, on Monday.

General Rawat arrived in the Maldives on a six-day official visit on Sunday.

During the meeting, both parties discussed on ways to further strengthen military ties between both nations, as well as on increasing opportunities for Maldivian officers to train with Indian military.

Furthermore, the Indian senior official was shown a presentation of the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF)’s work, and signed the visitor’s book there.

In addition to the defence chief, General Rawat also met with Defence Minister Mariya Didi on Monday.

The discussions at this meeting was focused on “further enhancement of the Maldives-India defence ties.”

Rawat is also expected to meet with other cabinet ministers, as well as President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.

He will also visit the Composite Training Center established in the MNDF Northern Area Headquarters, in Maafilaafushi in Lhaviyani atoll, which was developed under Indian aid.

General Rawat took office as the Chief of the Army Staff in December 2016, following the retirement of General Dalbir Singh Suhag. There are reports that Rawat will also retire at the end of 2019.

He was appointed chairman of Chiefs of Staff Committee (COSC) on Friday.