General Sahir Shamshad Mirza, NI, NI (M), Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC), is currently on an official visit to the Republic of Maldives, where he held high-level meetings aimed at strengthening bilateral defence relations and enhancing military cooperation between the two friendly nations.
During the visit, General Sahir Shamshad Mirza met with H.E. Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, President of Maldives; H.E. Mr. Mohamed Ghassan Maumoon, Minister of Defence; and Major General Ibrahim Hilmy, Chief of Defence Force of Maldives. The meetings underscored the deep-rooted friendship between Pakistan and Maldives and reflected both countries’ shared commitment to peace, stability, and mutual development in the region.
The discussions covered a wide range of subjects, including the evolving global and regional security environment, counterterrorism cooperation, and enhanced military-to-military collaboration. Both sides expressed satisfaction over the existing level of cooperation and emphasized the importance of continued coordination to tackle emerging security challenges in the Indian Ocean region.
The General Sahir Shamshad Mirza Maldives visit also focused on exploring new avenues of defence collaboration, including joint training programs, capacity building, and knowledge sharing between the armed forces of Pakistan and Maldives. Both nations reaffirmed their resolve to expand the scope of existing defence ties, emphasizing maritime security, disaster response, and intelligence sharing as key areas of focus.
The civil-military leadership of the Maldives praised the professionalism and operational excellence of the Pakistan Armed Forces, acknowledging their contributions and sacrifices in the global fight against terrorism. Maldivian officials commended Pakistan’s efforts to promote regional peace and stability, describing Islamabad as a reliable partner in defence and humanitarian cooperation.
During his interaction with President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, General Sahir Shamshad Mirza reiterated Pakistan’s continued support for the Maldives in strengthening its defence capabilities. He highlighted the importance of strategic collaboration between small and medium states in ensuring regional peace and security, especially amid evolving global power dynamics.
The CJCSC also emphasized Pakistan’s vision for regional connectivity and cooperative security under its “peaceful neighbourhood” policy. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to assisting the Maldives in areas such as military training, technical expertise, and capacity enhancement of the Maldivian National Defence Force (MNDF).
Earlier, upon arrival at the MNDF Headquarters, General Sahir Shamshad Mirza was received with full military honours. A smartly turned-out contingent of the Maldivian National Defence Force presented the Guard of Honour to the visiting dignitary, followed by official introductions and ceremonial courtesies.
The General Sahir Shamshad Mirza Maldives visit marks another milestone in Pakistan’s ongoing diplomatic outreach within South Asia and the Indian Ocean region. It underscores Islamabad’s strategic interest in maintaining strong defence and security relations with friendly nations through mutual respect, trust, and cooperation.
Defence analysts noted that the visit comes at a time when maritime security, regional stability, and counterterrorism have gained renewed global attention. Pakistan’s proactive engagement with the Maldives, they said, reflects its commitment to multilateral defence diplomacy and strengthening ties with regional partners in maintaining peace across the Indian Ocean corridor.
Pakistan and the Maldives have long enjoyed cordial relations built on shared faith, mutual respect, and people-to-people linkages. Over the years, both countries have worked together in international forums on climate change, maritime safety, and sustainable development initiatives. The defence partnership between the two nations continues to serve as a vital pillar of this broader bilateral relationship.
In reaffirming the commitment to stronger ties, General Sahir Shamshad Mirza expressed appreciation for the Maldivian government’s hospitality and reiterated Pakistan’s readiness to support its defence sector through training, joint exercises, and experience sharing.
The Maldives leadership, in turn, thanked Pakistan for its longstanding cooperation and expressed confidence that the visit would open new pathways for greater coordination and shared security objectives in the region.
