Defence Minister Nazim returns to Male

Minister of Defence Mohamed Nazim has concluded his official visit to Sri Lanka and returned to Male’ tonight.

During this visit, Nazim participated in the second meeting of the national security advisor level Trilateral Cooperation on Maritime Security between Maldives, Sri Lanka and India, and signed the Outcome Document on behalf of the Maldives.

The Defence Ministry has said that the framework put together during this meeting would facilitate cooperation between Maldives, Sri Lanka and India in terms of regional maritime security.

The ministry said that it would also facilitate assistance from the Sri Lankan and Indian military in monitoring the Maldivian territory to ensure marine protection in the region, and assistance from the Indian government in improving Maldives’ knowledge in the areas of Maritime Search and Rescue and Marine Oil Pollution Response.

The framework would also facilitate sharing of information between Maldives, Sri Lanka and India, related to vessels traveling in the Indian Ocean, said the Defence Ministry.

Defence Minister Nazim also met with Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa on 9 July.

The Defence Ministry said that the discussion during this meeting was focused on ensuring food security in the Maldives and obtaining Sri Lanka’s assistance in this regard. They also discussed strengthening defence and military relations between the two countries.

The Defence Ministry said that Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa assured during the meeting that the Maldives would receive Sri Lanka’s assistance in improving the defence sector as well as in ensuring food security.