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Context

• Continuing India’s capacity building assistance in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), Defence Minister handed over a Fast Patrol Vessel (FPV) and a Landing Craft Assault ship to the Maldives National Defence Forces (MNDF). In Sri Lanka, Indian Air Force (IAF) chief donated AN-32 transport aircraft propellers.

Background of Security & Defence Cooperation

• Since 1988, defence and security has been a major area of cooperation between India and Maldives.
• India has adopted a very flexible and accommodating approach in meeting Maldivian requirements of defence training and equipment.
• A comprehensive Action Plan for Defence was also signed in April 2016 to consolidate defence partnership.

Capacity Building/Training

• India provides the largest number of training opportunities for Maldivian National Defence Force (MNDF), meeting around 70% of their defence training requirements.
• India has trained over 1400 MNDF trainees over the past 10 years.
• MNDF has also been participating in various mil-to-mil activities such as joint EEZ patrols, anti-narcotic ops, SAR, sea-rider programme, HADR exercises, adventure camps, sailing regatta, etc.
• India has also offered to depute Mobile Training Teams (MTT) based on MNDF requirements and to train MNDF personnel for UN peace-keeping operation at CUNPK.
• Indian defence cooperation also extends to the areas of Joint Exercises, Maritime Domain Awareness, gifting of hardware, infrastructure development, etc.

Institutional Mechanisms

• Annual Defence Cooperation Dialogue at level of Defence Secretary was initiated in 016.
• Annual Joint Mil-to-Mil Staff Talks were started in 2016.

Disaster Management

• MNDF regularly participates in Humanitarian Assistance & Disaster Relief, Search & Rescue (SAR), Pollution Control, other exercises organised by India.
• India is also undertaking customised trainings for MNDF Fire and Rescue Service in India.

MUST READ ARTICLE:

India Maldives Relations: https://www.iasgyan.in/rstv/india-maldives

 https://epaper.thehindu.com/ccidist-ws/th/th_delhi/issues/34814/OPS/GQ1B6CVSO.1+GI7B6DSQF.1.html

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