Ministry of Defence, on Thursday, signed a framework agreement with the United States of America's Department of Defence to strengthen defence and security relationships between the two countries.
The framework was signed by both Minister of Defence Mariya Didi and the US Defence Department's Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defence for South and Southeast Asia, Reed Werner.
Framework for @DeptofDefense & @MoDmv Defense & Security Relationship will add immense value to the excellent #US-#Maldives partnership defined by shared principles & interests in peace & security of #IndoPacific & #IOR amid rising threats like piracy & terrorism: Min @MariyaDidi pic.twitter.com/aXhdolpZPs
— Ministry of Defence (@MoDmv) September 11, 2020
According to the ministry, the agreement was reached on the backdrop of growing security concerns in the Indo-Pacific and the Indian Ocean region, including the threat of piracy, violent extremism, terrorism and illicit trafficking.
The framework outlines various bilateral activities such as senior-level dialogues and maritime domain awareness on natural disasters and relief operations.
It is a "positive step towards furthering the close ties that exist between the two countries, especially in the defence and security sectors...", said the defence ministry.
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