Maldivian Defence Min Reaches Kochi, India

The defence minister of Maldives Mariya Ahmed Didi arrived in Kochi on a 6-day official visit to Kochi and Kannur. The defence minister, who reached the Cochin International Airport Limited (Cial) in an IndiGo flight around 11:30 am on Tuesday, was received by Rear Admiral TVN Prasanna, chief staff officer (training), Southern Naval Command (SNC) and his wife. The visit is part of improving the bilateral defence ties between Maldives and India.

The minister is the chief guest for the passing out parade (POP) of officer cadets of the Indian Navy at the Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala, on Saturday.
A total of 233 officers (includes international trainees) will be passing out from INA. It is learnt that a foreign defence minister is attending a PoP in INA for the first time.

Around five officials of the Maldivian ministry of defence are accompanying Didi during the visit.

On Tuesday, she was on personal trips in and around Kochi. On Wednesday, Vice Admiral AK Chawla, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, SNC, will be calling on the minister at headquarters, Southern Naval Command. She will be interacting with the officials of SNC and a presentation on various activities of the naval training command will be held. She will also interact with Madivian defence cadets, who are currently undergoing training at SNC.

Didi will depart for INA on Friday in a naval chopper and Chawla will accompany her. She will be attending various activities at INA on Saturday, followed by a media interaction. The delegation will be departing for Maldives on Sunday.

Source: ToI