- Australia seeks to expand defence cooperation with the Maldives, focusing on Indian Ocean maritime security challenges.
- The commissioned coastguard vessel Imaduddin, donated by Australia, will support surveillance, law enforcement and emergency response.
- Bilateral ties since 1974 span defence, education, maritime affairs and tourism, reflecting a growing partnership.
Australia is seeking to expand its defence cooperation with the Maldives as both countries focus on maritime security challenges in the Indian Ocean, Australia’s Special Envoy for the Indian Ocean Tim Watts has said.
Speaking at the commissioning of the coastguard vessel Imaduddin, donated by the Australian Government, Watts said the military relationship between the two countries was strong and continuing to grow.
He said Australia and the Maldives have developed a partnership built on mutual respect, trust and shared support for international rules since establishing diplomatic relations in 1974. The vessel donation, he said, reflected the depth of that relationship.
Watts pointed to the strategic importance of the Indian Ocean, through which around one-third of global trade and two-thirds of global oil shipments pass. He said Australia was working with countries across the region to improve maritime capabilities, increase cooperation, deter threats and maintain stability.
Australia and the Maldives are collaborating on several defence initiatives aimed at strengthening maritime security, including the protection of sea lanes and the ability to respond to emerging threats.
The newly commissioned vessel is expected to support the Maldives Coast Guard in maritime surveillance, law enforcement and emergency response operations. It will also strengthen the country’s capacity to provide humanitarian assistance during crises.
Watts said bilateral cooperation has broadened over more than five decades to include education, maritime affairs and international engagement. Maldivian students continue to pursue higher education in Australia, while Australia remains an important tourism market for the Maldives.
