Male: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih on Saturday jointly inaugurated the coastal surveillance radar system built by India, as the two leaders held wide-ranging talks to bolster their bilateral cooperation in key areas like defence and maritime security.
The inauguration assumes significance as China views the Maldives as key to its Maritime Silk Road project in the Indian Ocean as it has already acquired Hambantota port in Sri Lanka and Djibouti in the Horn of Africa.
The Coastal Surveillance Radar is the primary sensor for Integrated Coastal Surveillance System.
The Coastal Surveillance Radar Systems (CSRS) programme contributes to creating a network of information to maritime domain awareness in the strategic Indian Ocean region.
According to defence officials, India has an older version of these radars in Seychelles, Mauritius and Sri Lanka.
Modi arrived in the Indian Ocean archipelago on Saturday on his first foreign visit after re-election as Prime Minister to strengthen the bilateral ties, reflecting the importance India attaches to its 'Neighbourhood First' policy.
