India, Maldives discuss strengthening of defence ties

New Delhi: India and Maldives today discussed ways to further strengthen military ties during the visit of Maldivian Chief of Defence Forces Maj Gen Ahmed Shyam in New Delhi. Shyam is on a four-day visit to New Delhi and today met the top political and military leaderships of India including Defence Minister AK Antony and the armed forces chiefs.[caption id=“attachment_1374107” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Chief of Defence Force, Maldives, Maj Gen Ahmed Shiyam paying homage at Amar Jawan Jyoti, in New Delhi on 4 February 2014. Image courtesy PIB[/caption] During the meetings, the two sides discussed ways to enhance defence ties including the steps needed for strengthening Maldivian armed forces, officials said. Maldivian Defence Minister Mohamed Nazim had recently visited India and met his Indian counterpart when New Delhi had stated that it was committed to strengthening the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF). The two defence ministers had also discussed the training of Maldivian medical specialists in India and deputation of Indian armed forces medical specialists to Maldives to strengthen existing medical infrastructure. India has also opened its doors for all MNDF personnel to its armed forces medical institutions for major surgeries and serious illnesses. The two countries are also discussing measures to enhance interactions between the two armed forces and in this contex, agreed to hold the next round of joint exercise this year. PTI