India, Maldives agree to further enhance bilateral ties

(PTI) - Seeking to further enhance
bilateral ties, India and Maldives Thursday held wide ranging
talks on the entire gamut of their relationship including
co-operation in trade, piracy, defence and intensification of
people-to-people contact.
Indian External Affairs Minister S M Krishna, who
called on Maldivian President Mohamed Nasheed, discussed
issues of mutual interest including maritime security,
enhancing trade ties and increasing mutual cooperation in
sectors like tourism, culture, human resource development.
Krishna also handed over USD 5 million cash assistance
to Maldives for organisation of the 17th SAARC Summit to be
here in November.
Krishna also inaugurated an Indian cultural centre in
Male, which will enhance the cultural ties between both
countries.
"We had traditionally very good relationship with
Maldives and I am pleased with a steady expansion of our
bilateral ties with Maldives including sectors like trade,
investment, HRD development, capacity building and tourism,"
Krishna told accompanying reporters.
Identifying piracy as a common threat to both the
countries, Krishna said, the two countries are enhancing
cooperation in this regard.
"We are trying to help the country in combating the
piracy," he said.
"We have a multi-faced relations with Maldives. We
attach considerable importance to the common security concern.
We will have consultation on security needs of both
countries," Krishna said.
The external affairs minister will also hold
delegation level talks with various ministers including the
defence minister of the country Firday.
"We have a healthy maritime security relationship with
Maldives," he said.
Krishna said Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was
looking forward to his visit to Maldives in November to
participate in the SAARC summit.
At a function, Maldives' Foreign Minister Ahmed Naseem
handed over the land for the chancery for the Indian High
Commission.
Earlier, Krishna was given a warm welcome at the Male
International Airport by Naseem.
Krishna also visited Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital
at Male, which is being renovated and upgraded with Indian
assistance.
The 200-beded hospital in Male was established in 1995
with India contributing Rs 42.5 crore. It now serves as the
most advanced tertiary care hospital in the country and is
easily the most visible symbol of India's assistance to the
Maldives.