Indian Defense Minister visits the Maldives

Indian Defense Minister Shri A.K. Anthony has today arrived in Malé, in an official visit to the Maldives. The visit shall continue for a period of three days.

Minister Anthony was welcomed at Ibrahim Nasir International Airport at Hulhulé, today at 16:30, by his Maldivian counterpart, Colonel Retired Mohamed Nazim and Chief of the Defense Force Major General Ahmed Shiyam. Indian High Commissioner for the Maldives Mr. D.M. Mulay and some of the senior officers of the Maldivian National Defense Force were also at the Airport to receive the Indian Minister.

MNDF said today that a special reception would be held tonight in honor of Minister Anthony.

The first-ever military hospital built in the Maldives would be officially opened by Minister Anthony during his visit. Also, he would officially lay the foundation of MNDF Composite Training School to be built in Lh. Maafilaafushi, says the MNDF.

Minister Anthony would be making a courtesy call on the President Dr. Mohamed Waheed Hassan Manik. He is also set to hold official discussions with Maldivian Foreign Minister Dr. Abdul Samad and Defense Minister Muhammad Nazim.

MNDF also reports that Minister Anthony would discuss about ways in which relationship between the Maldives and India in the area of defense would be strengthened.

Indian Defense Minsiter’s visit to the Maldives has coincided with a phase of very positive developments in the relations between the Maldives and China.