ISLAMABAD – While on official visit to Maldives, Chief of the Naval StaffAdmiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi called on President of the Republic ofMaldives Abdulla Yameen Abdul Garoom at President’s office at Male onMonday.
During the meeting, matters of mutual interests were dilated upon. AdmiralZafar Mahmood Abbasi highlighted Pakistan’s commitment and performance infight against terrorism, including Pakistan Navy’s contributions, towardsregional maritime security, in pursuance of the Pakistan governmentpolicies, to ensure peace and stability in the Indian Ocean Region.
While stressing upon the constructive engagements between Pakistan Navy andMaldives National Defence Force Coast Guard to deal with the contemporarychallenges, Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi announced gifting of a LandingCraft Mechanized to Maldives which will assist Maldivian Coast Guard in itsefforts to contribute towards regional peace/ security.
The Maldives president acknowledged Pakistan Navy’s strenuous efforts formaintaining maritime security in the region and thanked Chief of the NavalStaff for gifting of a Landing Craft Mechanized.
The president also expressed satisfaction over the historical bonds anddefence collaboration between Pakistan and Maldives in various avenues,including training, reciprocal visits, port calls and looked forward tofurther increase in defence ties and bilateral relations.
The Admiral reiterated Pakistan’s continued support to Maldives ArmedForces in the field of training, provision of equipment, technical manpowerand expertise.
Earlier, Chief of the Naval Staff met Minister of Defence and NationalSecurity, Adam Shareef Umar and Chief of Defence Forces, Major GeneralAhmed Shiyam. Upon arrival at Maldives National Defence ForcesHeadquarters, a smartly turned out contingent of Maldives armed forcespresented him the guard of honour.
During the meetings, discussions on professional matters includingbilateral defence collaboration and security environment in Indian OceanRegion were held. Various avenues of cooperation between the two Navieswere also focused.
Pakistan and Maldives enjoy cordial relations founded on the commonprinciples of brotherhood, friendship and sovereign equality. Beinglittoral states of Indian Ocean Region, both countries share commonmaritime challenges.
As an extension of Government’s foreign policy, Pakistan Navy continuesproactive endeavors to enhance maritime collaboration with the Indian Oceanlittoral states. It is expected that recent visit of Naval Chief willenhance collaboration between the two countries in general and navies inparticular in the diverse defence related avenues.