Partnership Between US and the Maldives to Develop the Nation

Minister of Defence Uza. Mariya Didi has said that the US State Partnership Program will go a long way in building the capacity and readiness of the Maldivian Defence Sector to meet today’s challenges.

The Minister made the remark while addressing the signing ceremony of the Montana National Guard State Partnership Program held at MNDF IHQ this morning.

In her speech, Minister Mariya said the Maldives' enrolment in the prestigious program is one solid outcome of the Framework Agreement signed in September 2020, which formalized the way forward in cementing US-Maldives Defence and Security cooperation.

"Today, by enrolling in this program, we (the President Solih administration) are reiterating our commitment to the deepening of the US-Maldives Defence and Security relationship, which has grown tremendously over the past 3 years," said Minister Mariya.

Minister Mariya said the Montana National Guard State Partnership Program is tailored to meet the unique requirements of Maldives' defense and security landscape, by facilitating engagements in key areas such as Maritime Domain Awareness, Humanitarian Assistance & Disaster Relief, Cyber Defense and Communication Security, Aviation Security Operations, Leadership Development, Military Medical, and Engineer Activities, Operational Logistics and Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, Environmental Defense and Response.

From the US side, the agreement was signed by Adjutant General of Montana National Guard Major General John Hronek.

The ceremony was attended by Members of the US Delegation, Chief of Defence Force Major General Abdulla Shamaal and officers of Maldives National Defence Force, Chief Executive Officer of National Disaster Management Authority Mr. Hisan Hassan, and Director of Anti-Human Trafficking Mr. Ali Jaishan Amir.