India and Maldives have agreed to continue their traditionally close cooperation on issues of maritime security, counter-terrorism and medical cooperation. <br />''<br />''<br />''This was decided during the meeting between Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and her Maldivian counterpart  Mariya Ahmed Didi in New Delhi on Thursday. <br />''<br />''<br />''Both sides held substantive discussions on further strengthening bilateral defence cooperation. <br />''<br />''<br />''Ms  Sitharaman reiterated India's commitment to contribute towards capacity building and training requirements of the Maldives National Defence Forces.<br />''<br />''<br />''Ms  Didi is in India on an official visit and she will witness the 70th Republic Day Parade at Rajpath. <br />''<br />''<br />''She will also visit various Indian defence institutions such as the Indian Maritime Analysis Centre in Gurugram and Army Training Command in Shimla. <br />''<br />''<br />''She will also interact with National Cadet Corps (NCC) cadets, including those from the Maldives, at the NCC Republic Day Camp. <br />''<br />''<br />''According to an official release, the second round of the India-Maldives Defence Cooperation Dialogue was also held on Thursday.<br />''<br />''<br />''<span style="color: #222222;">The Indian delegation was headed by Defence Secretary  Sanjay Mitra and Maldivian side was led by Chief of Defence Forces of Maldives Major General Abdulla Shamaal.</span><br />