'India, Maldives to combat extremism'

{image-pratibhapatil 150 100_12022008.jpg news.oneindia.in}New Delhi, Feb 12: President Pratibha Patil has said that India and Maldives will jointly tackle extremism and fundamentalism. India and Maldives also signed a bilateral agreement on cooperation in the field of science and technology.

"The cooperation between the two countries has grown steadily given the fresh challenges, especially in maritime security," said Patil at a banquet hosted by her in honour of visiting Maldivian President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom at Rashtrapati Bhawan last evening.India and Maldives enjoy cordial and multi-dimensional relations. They also share ethnic, linguistic, cultural and commercial links. India was among the first to recognize Maldives and establish diplomatic relations after its independence in 1965.

ANI