Maldives: PM Modi, Prez Muizzu inaugurate defence ministry building

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu on Friday jointly inaugurated a state-of-the-art building of the defence ministry of Maldives in Male. The prime minister also handed over 72 vehicles and equipment for use by the Maldives National Defence Force. The defence ministry building is a "concrete building of trust" and it is a symbol of our "strong partnership", Modi said. "India will continue to support Maldives in the development of its defence capabilities. Peace, stability and prosperity in the Indian Ocean region is our common goal," he said.
In a social media post, Modi described it as "yet another instance of strong India-Maldives cooperation." "Overlooking the Indian Ocean, the eleven-storey building is a symbol of the strong and long-standing defence and security cooperation between the two countries," the Ministry of External Affairs said in a press release. The MoD building has been constructed with India's financial assistance and will contribute towards enhancing the capabilities of the defence and law enforcement authorities of the Maldives, it added.

Overlooking the Indian Ocean, the 11-storey building represents the strong and longstanding defence and security partnership between the two nations. Constructed with financial assistance from India, the new MoD facility is expected to significantly enhance the capabilities of Maldives’ defence and law enforcement institutions, according to the PMO. Prime Minister Modi was welcomed by enthusiastic crowds at the venue, who chanted “Narendra Modi Zindabad” and held banners that read: “Honouring Enduring Partnership – Welcome, Prime Minister Modi.”