India-Mozambique to boost military ties

New Delhi, Mar 6 (UNI) India and Mozambique today signed an agreement to boost technical cooperation, logistic support and training in defence matters.

An MoU, signed between Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee and his Moozambique counterpart Tobias Joaquim Dai, also envisages promoting and expanding bilateral relations in defence to the advantage of their Armed Forces.

The joint activities envisaged under the MoU include maritime patrolling of the Mozambican coast, mutual training in military institutes, supply of defence equipment/services, and establishment of partnership and transfer of know-how and technology for assembling and repair of vehicles, aircraft and ships as well as rehabilitation of military infrastructure.

Under the MoU, a Joint Defence Working Group will be formed to coordinate its implementation and follow up.

India and Mozambique have shared friendly ties built on traditional links dating back beyond the pre-colonial period.

India has supported Mozambique in its freedom struggle in the recent past and was among the first countries to recognise independent Mozambique way back in 1975.

Mr Dai, who arrived here yesterday, will leave on Mar 10.

UNI YJ RR HT2045