India on Sunday handed over a coastal radar system to the Maldives that will play a key role in enhancing regional security as the two countries launched several development projects being implemented under an aid package worth more than $2.6 billion.
The expanded coastal radar system was handed over to the chief of the Maldives National Defence Force, Maj Gen Abdulla Shamaal, by external affairs minister S Jaishankar. The system, which comprises 10 radar stations, was built with an Indian grant of $15.8 million. The radar stations are operated by personnel of the Maldives’ Coast Guard.
Jaishankar, who was on a two-day visit to the Indian Ocean archipelago, described defence cooperation as a “key pillar of our partnership”, and said the coastal radar system will contribute to enhancing security for the Maldives and the entire region.
He added that the system was a product of the partnership between the external affairs ministry and the Indian Navy for regional security, and an example of India’s “SAGAR” (Security and Growth for All in the Region) and “Neighbourhood First” policies.
Maldives President Ibrahim Solih and Jaishankar jointly inaugurated the National College of Policing and Law Enforcement in Addu city, one of the largest projects implemented in the Maldives with an Indian grant. A memorandum of understanding was signed by the Maldives Police Service and India’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy to enhance cooperation in training and capacity building.
India has increased the number of training slots for the Maldives at the police academy to eight. India’s Exim Bank is providing more than $40 million to create police infrastructure facilities across the Maldives, including 61 police stations, divisional headquarters, detention centres and barracks.
Solih, in his address at the event, said India’s assistance has always been directed towards the development of the Maldives. Numerous projects have been undertaken with grant or loan assistance from India, including the Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital, schemes to develop water and sewerage networks for 34 islands, and the redevelopment of Gan and Hanimaadhoo international airports…