Security Advisor Ajit Doval has met Defence Minister of Maldives Mariya Didi and held a cordial and detailed discussion on deepening bilateral partnership with the key island nation within the Indian Ocean .
Doval’s talks with Didi was a part of a trilateral maritime dialogue among India, Sri Lanka and therefore the Maldives being held here within the Sri Lankan capital.
Sri Lanka is hosting the fourth national security advisor trilateral meeting on maritime security cooperation with India and therefore the Maldives.
The meeting is happening after six years – the last meeting was held in New Delhi in 2014.
NSA #AjitDoval and @MariyaDidi, Defence Minister of #Maldives held a cordial & detailed discussion on deepening bilateral partnership between India & Maldives in defence and security, High Commission of India in Maldives said during a tweet.
Doval arrived in Colombo on Friday for the trilateral maritime dialogue.
The high-level engagement that covers a good range of subjects is meant to initiate collective action on maritime security including maritime domain awareness, legal regimes, train in search and rescue, maritime pollution response, information sharing, curbing piracy drugs arms and contraband trafficking within the Indian Ocean region.
On Thursday, the External Affairs Ministry in New Delhi said the NSA-level trilateral meeting had served as an efficient platform for cooperation among Indian Ocean countries.
“The meeting will provide a chance for discussion on issues concerning cooperation in maritime security within the Indian Ocean region,” the MEA said during a statement.