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Washington:
The US has signed a framework for defence cooperation with the Maldives to deepen engagement in assist of sustaining peace and safety within the strategic Indian Ocean, the Pentagon has introduced, because the Trump administration appears to be like to strengthen alliances within the Indo-Pacific to counter China’s rising presence within the area.
The framework for defence and safety relationship was signed in Philadelphia on September 10 between Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for South and Southeast Asia Reed Werner and Maldivian Minister of Defence Mariya Didi. .
“The framework sets forth both countries’ intent to deepen engagement and cooperation in support of maintaining peace and security in the Indian Ocean, and marks an important step forward in the defence partnership,” the Pentagon mentioned.
The Indo-Pacific is a biogeographic area of Earth’s seas, comprising the tropical waters of the Indian Ocean, the western and central Pacific Ocean.
During discussions after signing the settlement, Mariya Didi mentioned the framework will strengthen defence and safety cooperation between the 2 international locations, Maldivian portal Sun Online reported.
Mariya Didi mentioned that peace and safety within the Indo-Pacific and Indian Ocean area is tied to one of the best pursuits of each international locations.
She harassed the significance of bilateral dialogue and engagement, towards a backdrop of rising transnational threats akin to piracy, violent extremism, terrorism, and illicit commerce, which she mentioned remained related, even amid the coronavirus pandemic.
According to a press release launched by the Defence Ministry, the framework outlines various bilateral actions, together with senior-level dialogues, discussions, engagements, and alternatives in areas akin to maritime area consciousness, pure disasters, and humanitarian reduction operations, the report mentioned.
Mariya Didi mentioned that the Maldivian authorities sees the framework as an “important milestone” in defence and safety cooperation between the Maldives and the US.
Reed Werner and Mariya Didi additionally mentioned US assist for the island nation in its response to COVID-19 and areas for future cooperation, and agreed to work towards scheduling the primary Defense and Security Dialogue, the Pentagon mentioned.
Both sides reiterated their dedication to a free and open Indo-Pacific that promotes the safety and prosperity of all nations within the area, the Pentagon mentioned.
The Central Indo-Pacific contains the quite a few seas and straits connecting the Indian and Pacific oceans.
The resource-rich Indo-Pacific area is the place China has been attempting to unfold its affect. The US has additionally been pushing for a broader function by India within the strategically essential area. China is eyeing to broaden its affect within the Indian Ocean area. China has already taken management of Pakistan’s strategic Gwadar Port on the Arabian Sea.
China is engaged in hotly contested territorial disputes within the South China Sea, and with Japan within the East China Sea. Both the areas are mentioned to be wealthy in minerals, oil and different pure assets.
Beijing claims virtually the entire South China Sea. Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan have overlapping claims within the waterway.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV employees and is printed from a syndicated feed.)
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