New Delhi. Chief of Defence Force (CDF) of Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) Major General Abdulla Shamaal called on Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and discussed the issues of strengthening bilateral ties between India and Maldives.

Major General Abdulla Shamaal has been on a three-day visit to India starting July 4. He was given ceremonial welcome with Tri-Services Guard of Honour on the foreground of South Block in New Delhi.

During his visit, he also called on National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Chairman Chiefs of Staff Committee Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa and other Service Chiefs. This is his first visit to India after he assumed office as CDF in December 2018. Earlier, Major General Shamaal visited National War Memorial to pay floral tributes to martyrs.

Major General Shamaal delivered lectures on perspective of Maldives on Security of Small Island States at the prestigious National Defence College and Institute for Defence Studies and Analysis (IDSA) in New Delhi. He was accompanied by a high-level delegation from various branches of MNDF who undertook detailed discussions with joint team of the Indian Armed Forces.

The talks aimed at among others enhancing defence cooperation, reviewing joint exercises, strengthening maritime security and developing new infrastructure for MNDF.