New Delhi, Feb.10 (ANI): Chief of the Army Staff General Deepak Kapoor will be undertaking four-day official visit to Maldives that begins on Thursday.

The Army Chief during his visit (Feb. 11 to 14) will interact with the Maldivian President, Foreign Minister, Defence Minister, Chief of Defence Forces and a number of other dignitaries.

General Kapoor would also be visiting the newly established Headquarters Southern Areas of Maldives National Defence Forces and paying tributes at the Memorial of Indian Soldiers on the Island of Gan.

He would also be discussing of mutual; concern such as training of Maldivian Armed Forces personnel in various fields.

The Chief’s visit will further cement our close defence ties with Maldives and provide an impetus to our on-going defence cooperation, said a release.

The visit holds significance in the light of increasing bilateral and defence cooperation between the India and Maldives.

The present visit to Maldives has been undertaken after a gap of three years since the last COAS visited Maldives in Feb 2007.

The friendship between India and Maldives is based on common ideals and principles, arising from a significant legacy of historic links and common culture.

It is pertinent to mention that India was the first country to recognise Maldives on its independence in 1965. (ANI)