By IANS,
New Delhi : Indian Navy Chief Admiral Sureesh Mehta is on a four-day visit of the Maldives for talks on maritime security with the leaders of the island nation, an official said.
Mehta’s visit to the Maldives, with which India shares long-standing ties, began Feb 21.
“Admiral Mehta has already met Maldives’ Minister for Defence and National Security Ameen Faisal, Minister for Foreign Affairs Ahmed Shaheed and chief of defence staff Mossa M. Zalil,” the navy official said.
The navy chief will also be meeting President Mohamed Nasheed.
“Maldives is an important member of the Indian initiative IONS (Indian Ocean Naval Symposium) and we have helped them in carrying out important hydrographic surveys. Currently, talks were held on maritime security,” the official added.
An Indian Navy ship INS Kesari will be in the Maldivian waters as the island nation celebrates its national day Feb 26.