Dr Aishath Shehenaz Adam, the Vice Chancellor of The Maldives National University (MNU), delivered her welcome and opening remarks at the academic-policy dialogue seminar for a 17-member delegation from India’s National Defence College (NDC), visiting the Maldives on 2 September 2026. The event was organised by the School of Security and Strategic Studies (SSSS) at MNU.

Vice Chancellor highlighted the important and strong ties between the Maldives and India, and the role MNU can play in developing research and academic work in security studies, while also understanding the unique position the Maldives, its people, and its government take in navigating national and foreign policy.

The session was graced by the guests of honour and keynote speaker, H.E. Ibrahim Latheef, D.C. (Retd.), Lt Col (Retd.), National Security Advisor. H.E. Shri G. Balasubramanian, High Commissioner of India to the Maldives; Rear Admiral Sandeep Singh Sandhu, Head of the National Defence College (NDC) Delegation; and India DA Capt. Deepak Bali, along with Indian High Commission diplomats, attended the session. The dialogue was conducted between NDC and the Deans and academics of MNU Faculties/Colleges/Schools, namely, the Faculty of Maritime Studies, Faculty of Arts, School of Business, College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, and Faculty of Engineering, Science and Technology. Staff of the NSA Office and the SSSS also attended.