Minister Mariya returns from official visit to India

Minister of Defense and National Security, Mariya Ahmed Didi has concluded her official visit to neighboring India and returned to Maldives on Saturday.

The minister embarked on the visit on 3 February, and the visit comes upon the official invitation from the Indian government.

During the visit, she met with her Indian counterpart, Minister Rajnath Singh.

The pair discussed assistance from the Indian military to the Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF) in their operations being carried out following the novel coronavirus outbreak which has reached many parts of the globe.

This comes at a time blood samples from Maldives are being sent to India for further testing as there is no way to conduct tests in the country.

During her visit, she also met with a number of top officials from the Indian government before returning to Maldives on Saturday.

As such, she met with Indian Army’s Chief of Defense Staff, General Bipin Rawat where discussions were held to further strengthen the military ties between both countries.

It has also been revealed that Maldives has requested another vessel from the India government. Speaking to an Indian new outlet, the Maldives Minister described the Maldives and India’s military ties to be a “meeting of minds” and that is has been a “Kaamiyaab” translated to successful year, referring to the Indian patrol vessel in Maldives, “Kaamiyaab”.

Further, Mariya also met with recently appointed Minister of Gender, Family and Social Services, Aishath Mohamed Didi where she congratulated the minister, and High Commissioner of Maldives to India, on her appointment.