Despite opposition protests, the Maldives has defended its defence pact and partnership with India. Maldives’ Parliament Committee on National Security recently stated that agreements between the Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF) and the Indian military contain no clauses that would apply to Maldives.
In three agreements between MNDF and the Indian military, Adam Shareef Umar, an opposition MP and former Defense Minister requested the Parliament review them, including an agreement to operate a Dornier aircraft with Indian assistance, and a hydrography agreement.
As Ibu Solih has served as the president of the Maldives since 2028, the two countries have strengthened their defence ties. During the visit of the Maldives Defence Minister to India last week, the Indian Navy participated in the first-ever Colombo Security Conclave (CSC) Focused Operation to improve maritime security in the Indian Ocean Region, alongside Sri Lanka and the Maldives.
