"As a special gesture, reflecting the warmth in the bilateral relations, the Defence Minister of Maldives broke protocol and personally received the Raksha Mantri upon arrival at the airport," read the statement.
Later, the Defence Minister held bilateral delegation-level talks with the Maldivian Defence Minister.
"Issues of mutual defence cooperation and new initiatives to further strengthen defence and security partnership were discussed in the meeting," read the statement.
India will be handing over a Fast patrol vessel along with an assault landing craft to Maldivian Coast Guard in a formal ceremony on May 2.
It is always wonderful to meet the Defence Minister of Maldives, Ms @MariyaDidi.
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) May 1, 2023
Our meeting in Male today was very good. We exchanged views on multiple subjects including further boosting the defence partnership between India 🇮🇳 & Maldives 🇲🇻. pic.twitter.com/1oMzrCkkz3
Singh also held discussions with the Foreign Minister of Maldives Abdulla Shahid.
Issues of ongoing bilateral defence and infrastructural development cooperation in Maldives by India were discussed.
Singh will call on the President of Maldives Ibrahim Mohamed Solih on May 2.