With the recent improvement in relations, India and the Maldives will take forward several pending measures to promote defence cooperation in the next few months, diplomatic sources said. In this context, sources pointed out that the two Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) given by India were of “great service”. India had gifted the Maldives two ALHs in 2013 and each was operated by the Indian Coast Guard and the Indian Navy. Terrorism is a major threat to the Maldives, and maritime security is the top-most concern, diplomatic sources said. In the recent past, the Indian Navy has become the first responder to calls for help from countries affected by natural disasters in the Indian Ocean Region.

Source: The Hindu October 20, 2019 19:41 UTC