The Governments of the Maldives and Japan have signed an Exchange of Notes formalizing Japan’s provision of two harbour crafts to the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) Coast Guard, enhancing the country’s maritime security and operational capacity.
The signing ceremony was held in Malé, with His Excellency Dr. Abdulla Khaleel, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Maldives, and Her Excellency Ishigami Rumiko, Ambassador of Japan to the Maldives, signing on behalf of their respective governments.
The agreement is part of Japan’s Economic and Social Development Programme, with Japan committing assistance worth 400 million Japanese Yen (approximately USD 2.8 million). This contribution aims to strengthen the MNDF Coast Guard’s ability to conduct search and rescue operations, enforce maritime law, and protect coastal communities across the Maldives’ vast maritime domain.
Maldives and Japan Sign Exchange of Notes for the Provision of two Harbour Crafts to MNDF Coast Guard
📃 Press Release | https://t.co/nZzoRiqdOH pic.twitter.com/m93KrdLBnZ
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs 🇲🇻 (@MoFAmv) May 7, 2025
During the signing, Foreign Minister Dr. Khaleel expressed gratitude for Japan’s continued and multifaceted support to the Maldives. He emphasized that the new harbour crafts will significantly bolster the Coast Guard’s operational readiness and responsiveness, particularly in safeguarding the nation’s marine resources and ensuring public safety at sea.
Dr. Khaleel further highlighted the broader significance of this cooperation, describing it as a reflection of the shared commitment between the Maldives and Japan to a Free and Open Indo-Pacific. He also acknowledged Japan’s enduring role in the Maldives’ development and maritime security, and welcomed Japan’s recent decision to appoint a Defence Attaché to the Maldives as a step toward deeper strategic collaboration.
The ceremony was attended by senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Finance and Planning, and the Embassy of Japan, underscoring the strong bilateral ties and mutual interest in regional stability and maritime security.