Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu jointly inaugurated the Maldives Ministry of Defence (MoD) building in Male.

Overlooking the Indian Ocean, the eleven-storey building is a symbol of the strong and long-standing defence and security cooperation between the two countries.

The MoD building has been constructed with India's financial assistance and will contribute towards enhancing the capabilities of the defence and law enforcement authorities of the Maldives.

Earlier in the day, PM Modi was received by President Muizzu and accorded a ceremonial welcome at Republic Square.

In keeping with their deep commitment to conserving nature, the two leaders planted mango saplings as part of India’s "Ek Pedh Maa Ke Naam” [Plant for Mother] and Maldives’s "Pledge of 5 million Tree Plantation” campaigns.