Daily Times

While on official visit to Maldives, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi called on Maldives President Abdullah Yameen Abdul Garoom at the President’s Office at Male.

During the meeting, matters of mutual interests were dilated upon. Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi highlighted Pakistan’s commitment and performance in fight against terrorism including Pakistan Navy’s contributions towards regional maritime security, in pursuance of government of Pakistan’s policies and to ensure peace and stability in the Indian Ocean Region.

While stressing upon the constructive engagements between Pakistan Navy and Maldives National Defense Force Coast Guard to deal with the contemporary challenges, Admiral Abbasi announced gifting a landing craft mechanised to Maldives which will assist Maldivian coast guards in their efforts to contribute towards regional peace/security.

Maldives president acknowledged Pakistan Navy’s strenuous efforts for maintaining maritime security in the region and thanked Chief of Naval Staff for gifting of a landing craft. The president also expressed satisfaction over the historical bonds and defense collaboration between Pakistan and Maldives in various avenues including training, reciprocal visits and port calls and looked forward to further increasing defense ties and bilateral relations. The admiral reiterated Pakistan’s continued support to Maldives Armed Forces in the field of training, provision of equipment, technical manpower and expertise.

Earlier, the Chief of Naval Staff met Defense & National Security Minister Adam Shareef Umar and Chief of Defense Forces Major General Ahmed Shiyam. Upon arrival at Maldives National Defense Forces Headquarters, a smartly turned out contingent of Maldives Armed Forces presented him the Guard of Honour.

During the meetings, discussions on professional matters including bilateral defense collaboration and security environment in Indian Ocean Region were held. Various avenues of cooperation between the two Navies were also focused.

Pakistan and Maldives enjoy cordial relations founded on the common principles of brotherhood, friendship and sovereign equality. Being littoral states of Indian Ocean Region, both countries share common maritime challenges. As an extension of government’s foreign policy, Pakistan Navy continues proactive endeavours to enhance maritime collaboration with the Indian Ocean littoral states. It is expected that recent visit of Naval Chief will enhance collaboration between the two countries in general and navies in particular in the diverse defense related avenues.

Published in Daily Times, July 24^th 2018.