Article Posted on : - Sep 22, 2016

KOCHI (PTI): Chief of Defence Staff of Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) Maj Gen Ahmed Shiyam on Wednesday visited the Southern Naval Command in Kochi and was briefed on the training activities undertaken by it.

He arrived in the city on Tuesday on a three-day visit accompanied by his spouse Khateeja Naeem and an MNDF delegation.

The visiting Chief of Defence Force interacted with Rear Admiral R B Pandit, Chief of Staff, Southern Naval Command (SNC), and was briefed on Indian Navy's training activities conducted by the SNC, a Navy release said.

The delegation visited training facilities at Observer School, Indian Naval Air Squadron (INAS) 322 which has Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA), Naval Aircraft Yard facilities, Joint Operation Centre and Indian Coast Guard ship C- 421, it said.

Maj Gen Shiyam also interacted with the MNDF trainees, who are undergoing training at the Indian Navy training facilities.

Khateeja Naeem had an elaborate interaction with members of Navy Wife Welfare Association, Southern Region. She also visited Kerala Folklore Museum and appreciated the cultural heritage of Kerala.

Maj Gen Shiyam, Khateeja Naeem and MNDF delegation also had a glimpse of Kerala backwater at Kumarakoram, during the visit, the release said.

The delegation would leave Kochi on Thursday.

The Chief of Defence Force, MNDF, is on an official visit to India from September 18 to 23 to consolidate bilateral relationship between the two countries.