Maldives and India, on Saturday, reached an agreement to establish a Joint Working Group on Counter Terrorism, to combat violent extremism and de-radicalisation.
The decision was made during deliberations held between President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the course of the latter's two-day state trip to Maldives.
In addition to terrorism, both leaders agreed to enhance bilateral cooperation on issues of common concern including piracy, organised crime, drugs and human trafficking.
President Solih and PM Modi also agreed on the importance of maintaining peace and security in the Indian Ocean region and pledged to enhance maritime security by exchanging information, conducting capacity building programmes and carrying out coordinated patrols and aerial surveillance.
During the visit, PM Modi signed an agreement on sharing white shipping information, encompassing non-military and non-government shipping vessels.
Furthermore, the Indian Prime Minister and President Solih jointly inaugurated the Composite Training Centre and Coastal Radar System for the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF).
The Indian Prime Minister arrived in Maldives on his first state following his re-election, on Saturday afternoon. The governments of Maldives and India held high-level official talks and signed a total of six agreements in five sectors during the visit. The prime minister also delivered a special address at the Maldivian parliament, after which he attended a banquet hosted by President Solih in his honour.
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