What happened?
Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh met his Maldivian counterpart to reinforce India’s commitment to strengthening ties with the Maldives. He emphasised the Maldives’ role in India’s ‘Neighbourhood First Policy’ and its importance to regional stability in the Indian Ocean.
Why it matters to India
The Maldives is strategically important due to its location near India’s west coast and vital maritime routes. Strengthening ties through defence cooperation ensures regional stability and security in the Indian Ocean and supports India’s broader geopolitical interests.