Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) General Sahir Shamshad Mirza undertook an official visit to Maldives and discussed with the country’s leadership the evolving global and regional security environment and issues of mutual interest, including bilateral defence and security cooperation.

During the visit, CJCSC called on the President of Maldives, Dr Mohamed Muizzu, Defence Minister Mohamed Ghassan Maumoon and Chief of Defence Force of Maldives Major General Ibrahim Hilmy, according to a press release of Pakistan’s high commission received Monday.

Pakistan’s High Commissioner to Maldives, Vice Admiral (R) Faisal Rasul Lodhi, accompanied the CJCSC and his delegation throughout the official engagements.

During the discussions, the leadership on both sides acknowledged and reaffirmed the historic brotherly relationship between the two countries.

It was underscored that the bilateral relations were based on a strong foundation of shared faith, mutual respect for sovereign values, and an unwavering mutual trust.

Both sides also considered avenues to further enhance military-to-military engagements between the two countries and reaffirmed the shared commitment to further strengthening the partnership.

The civil-military leadership of the Maldives lauded the professionalism of Pakistan’s armed forces and acknowledged their sacrifices in the fight against terrorism.

Earlier, upon arrival at MNDF Headquarters, the smartly turned-out contingent presented a guard of honour to CJCSC.

Meanwhile, the CJCSC, along with his delegation, also met Pakistan’s High Commissioner, Vice Admiral (r) Faisal Rasul Lodhi at Pakistan’s High Commission in Hulhumale.

During the discussions, it was acknowledged that the Maldives was an important partner of Pakistan in the region and that historic brotherly relations were based on a strong foundation of shared faith, trust and mutual respect for each other’s sovereign values.

Both dignitaries underscored that enormous potential existed for further expanding the scope and scale of bilateral cooperation with Maldives across the entire spectrum of bilateral collaboration, focusing on trade, education, health, climate change, tourism and especially in the realm of defence, military cooperation and maritime security.