Indian Armed Forces make an important contribution towards enhancing the readiness and capacity of the Maldivian security forces, says Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid.

This was done during a courtesy call paid on the Foreign Minister by Chairman of Chiefs of Staff Committee and Chief of Army Staff of India General Bipin Rawat, who arrived on a six-day visit to Maldives on Sunday.

Welcoming the General to the country, FM Shahid stated that the neighboring country plays a “vital role” in capacity building for armed forces of Maldives and is a close partner in keeping the Indian Ocean region a “conflict-free region”.

During the meeting that took place at the ministry building on Tuesday, discussions were held on the significance of considering the “evolving nature” of threats in the current world as well as multi-faceted nature of the relationship between Maldives and India.

The meeting was joined by Secretary, Multilateral Ali Naseer Mohamed, Defense Advisor of the Maldives in India Colonel Ahmed Thohir, and Director of India Division Mariyam Midhfa Naeem.

During his visit, General Rawat will be meeting with top government officials including President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and the Cabinet of Ministers.

Thus far, General Rawat has called on Minister of Defense and National Security, Mariya Didi and Chief of Defense Force, Major General Abdulla Shamaal,

The General is also set to visit the Composite Training Center, which was established in the Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF)’s Norther Area Headquarters, developed in Maafilaafushi of Lhaviyani atoll under Indian grant assistance.

Following the retirement of General Dalbir Singh Suhag in 2016, General Rawat took office as the Chief of the Army Staff in December that year.

Reports have also been surfacing that General Rawat will retire by the end of 2019.