Male: India’s Foreign Minister S Jaishankar on Saturday held talks with Maldives Defense Minister Mohammed Ghassan Maumoon. The meeting discussed bilateral security cooperation, “shared interest” in maintaining peace and stability in the region. Jaishankar is on a three-day official visit to Maldives to strengthen bilateral relations. This is the first high-level visit from New Delhi after the island nation’s pro-China President Mohammed Muizzu took office nearly nine months ago.

‘Shared interests discussed’

On the second day of his visit, Jaishankar met the island nation’s Defense Minister Maumoon. Foreign Minister Jaishankar posted on the social media platform ‘X’ and said, “The meeting with Defense Minister Maumoon was very positive. Defense and security cooperation, joint initiatives for maritime security and our shared interests in maintaining peace and stability in the region were discussed. His statement on ‘X’ comes at a time when China’s military ties with the Maldives are growing since President Muizzu took office last year. A state-of-the-art Chinese research vessel has arrived at the port of Maldives and the two countries have also signed a bilateral military agreement.

Tension was seen between India and Maldives

Earlier, Jaishankar jointly planted a sapling with his Maldivian counterpart Musa Jamir and Minister of Climate Change, Environment and Energy Thoriq Ibrahim. Jaishankar said on ‘X’, “Today, along with Foreign Minister Musa Jamir and Minister of Climate Change, Environment and Energy Thoriq Ibrahim, I was very happy to plant a Kamrakh (star fruit) sapling in Male’s Lonujiarai Park. This sapling is a symbol of our commitment to a better future and strong relations between India and Maldives. “This is Jaishankar’s first visit to Maldives after President Muizzu’s government came to power last year. Relations between India and Maldives became severely strained last year after Muizzu, known for his pro-China leanings, took over as President.