India extended a red-carpet welcome to Maldives Defence Minister Mohamed Ghassan Maumoon as he arrived in New Delhi for a three-day official visit. Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh greeted Minister Ghassan with a ceremonial reception, underscoring the importance of the Maldives in India’s regional strategy under its Neighbourhood First Policy.

The visit featured high-level discussions between senior defence officials from both countries, with India reaffirming its commitment to strengthening the Maldives' defence capabilities. Areas of collaboration include joint training programs, military exercises, workshops, and the provision of defence equipment.

India highlighted its focus on peace and stability in the Indian Ocean region, emphasizing the Maldives' central role in these efforts. Defence Minister Ghassan's trip is expected to bolster defence ties, contributing to shared security objectives and regional stability.

The visit comes shortly after Maldives Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid's trip to India, where he described the ‘India-Out’ campaign as a movement driven by former President Abdulla Yameen, reaffirming the current administration’s pro-India stance. The engagements during Minister Ghassan's visit further solidify the close partnership between the two nations.