Defence Minister Rajnath Singh arrived in Maldives on May 1, 2023, on a 3-day official visit at the invitation of his Maldivian counterpart Mariya Ahmed Didi. Later, the Defence Minister held bilateral delegation-level talks with the Maldivian Defence Minister. Issues of mutual defence cooperation and new initiatives to further strengthen defence and security partnership were discussed in the meeting. India handed over a Fast patrol vessel along with an assault landing craft to Maldivian Coast Guard in a formal ceremony on May 2, 2023. The Defence Minister held discussions with the Foreign Minister of Maldives Abdulla Shahid. Issues of ongoing bilateral defence and infrastructural development cooperation in Maldives by India were discussed. Rajnath Singh also called on the President of Maldives Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.