Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu on Friday jointly inaugurated the state-of-the-art Ministry of Defence (MoD) building of the Maldives in Male.
Overlooking the Indian Ocean, the eleven-storey building stands as a symbol of the strong and long-standing defence and security cooperation between the two countries. According to a release from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), the MoD building has been constructed with India’s financial assistance and is expected to enhance the capabilities of the Maldives’ defence and law enforcement authorities.
In a post on X, the Maldivian President’s Office said, “His Excellency President Dr Mohamed Muizzu and His Excellency Shri Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of the Republic of India, inaugurate the Dhoshimeyna Building, the new office premises of the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF).”
Prime Minister Modi described the inauguration as another testament to strong India-Maldives cooperation.
In a post on X, he stated, “President Muizzu and I inaugurated a new building of the Ministry of Defence in Male. This is yet another instance of strong India–Maldives cooperation.”
Earlier in the day, PM Modi reaffirmed the Maldives’ significance in India’s regional outreach.
He added, “Held very fruitful discussions with President Muizzu. Maldives is at the core of our ‘Neighbourhood First’ and Mahasagar Vision. Our discussion covered several sectors, notably commercial and cultural linkages. We both agree that the India–Maldives friendship will always be bright and clear. India is honoured to work closely with the Maldives in areas such as housing, connectivity, infrastructure, defence, digital technology, and more. Climate change and renewable energy are also two vital pillars of our bilateral cooperation.”
In a further gesture of goodwill, PM Modi gifted two Aarogya Maitri Health Cubes to President Muizzu on behalf of the Government of India.
In a post on X, the President’s Office shared, “His Excellency President Dr Mohamed Muizzu accepts two Aarogya Maitri Health Cubes gifted by His Excellency Shri Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India, on behalf of the Government of India to the Maldives. The state-of-the-art portable hospitals are equipped with an ICU, operating theatre, laboratory, X-ray, and other emergency medical facilities. Each unit can operate independently for 72 hours and treat up to 200 individuals.”
Prime Minister Modi is currently on a two-day visit to the Maldives at the invitation of President Muizzu.
(ANI)