'Commitment towards peace, security': Rajnath Singh hands over two 'Made in India' military vessels to Maldives
Maldives, May 2: Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh handed over a Fast Patrol Vessel and a Landing Craft Assault ship to the Maldives National Defence Forces (MNDF) on Tuesday.
The MNDF Coast Guard ship Huravee was commissioned as the Fast Patrol Vessel, which is capable of high-speed coastal and offshore surveillance. President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and Defence Minister Mariya Ahmed Didi were in attendance on the occasion.
Rajnath Singh, taking to Twitter, said "Delighted to handover a Fast Patrol Vessel and a Landing Craft Assault ship to Maldives today. It is a symbol of our shared commitment towards peace & security in the Indian Ocean Region."
"Minister @abdulla_shahid attends the handover ceremony of the Offshore Patrol Vessel Coast Guard Ship Huravee and Landing Craft from the Government of #India. Maldives is committed to further strengthening the relationship between and in defence security cooperation," the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Maldives also took tweeted.
Rajnath Singh, speaking at the event, highlighted the handover of the two 'Made in India' platforms as a symbol of India and the Maldives' shared commitment towards peace and security in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
According to an official release of the Ministry of Defence, he said that India, through a robust defence ecosystem, has significantly enhanced its manufacturing capabilities to further support the capacity building of partner countries.
"India has emerged as a leading defence exporter in recent years. A defence manufacturing ecosystem has been created which has the advantage of abundant technical manpower. We produce world-class equipment to meet not only our own needs but also for exports. India offers an enhanced defence partnership to friendly foreign countries, that is accommodative of their national priorities and capacities. We wish to create symbiotic relationships where we can learn from each other, grow together and create a win-win situation for all. India's commitment to support the Maldives will only get stronger with time."
- ANI
