With China's Increasing Presence In The Indo-Pacific, US And Maldives Sign Framework For Defence Cooperation

With eyes on containing China's growing presence in the Indo-Pacific region, the United States (US) and the Maldives have signed into a framework for defence cooperation to deepen the bilateral engagement in maintaining the peace and security in the strategic Indian ocean, reports Hindustan Times.

Announcing the development, top US defence authority Pentagon said that signing of the framework marks an important step forward in the defence partnership between the two nations.

The framework was signed on 10 September in Philadelphia, with Maldivian Minister of Defence Mariya Didi representing the authority of the archipelago nation. Didi said that the Maldivian Government saw the framework as an important milestone in defence and security cooperation between the two nations.

The framework outlines scores of bilateral activities including senior-level dialogues, discussions, engagements and opportunities in areas such as maritime domain awareness, natural disasters, and humanitarian relief operations.