The Government of India has donated 24 vehicles to the Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF) on Monday.
The vehicles were handed over at a special ceremony held at MNDF headqurters, Bandaara Koshi.
The vehicles were symbolically handed over to Maldives on behalf of India by Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra, who is currently in Maldives on an official visit. Defense Minister Mariya Ahmed Didi received the donation on behalf of MNDF.
Chief of Defense Major General Abdulla Shamaal, Vice Chief of Defense force Brigadier General Abdul Raheem Abdul Latheef and other general officers of MNDF were also present at the ceremony.
The Indian government has previously donated vehicles to the Maldives military as well, which included aircrafts and vessels.
Details of the vehicles donated this time are yet to be released.
Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra also signed an important agreement during his visit to Maldives yesterday, which comprised of an additional USD 100 million line of credit from Exim Bank of India to accelerate the country’s ongoing projects in Maldives.
During his visit, he met with President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, Parliament Speaker Mohamed Nasheed and other government officials.