India, Maldives to step up bilateral cooperation

New Delhi, Jan 18 (UNI) India and Maldives have decided to put in place an institutional mechanism to jointly tackle terrorism, organised crimes and smuggling in narcotics.

A four-member delegation led by Home Secretary V K Duggal was in Maldives for two days this week and held discussions on wide-ranging issues and agreed to step up bilateral co-operation in the fields of prevention of drug trafficking, coastal security, disaster management and control of organised crimes, including terrorist activities.

Though both the countries have been closely co-operating in these fields, they have decided to work together to evolve an institutionalised mechanism soon for this purpose, Home Ministry sources said here today.

The Indian side assured Maldives of continued support in capacity-building of their civilian police, particularly in areas of scientific investigation of crime and setting up of forensic facilities.

In this connection, a team of forensic experts will visit Maldives next month, sources added.

While in Male, Mr Duggal held discussions with the Maldives Home Minister Mohd Thasmeen Ali, Defence Minister Ismail Shafeeu and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Ahmed Shaheed.

He also called on President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom.

Mr Duggal invited the Maldives Home Minister, Home Secretary and DGP for the SAARC Home Ministers meeting which India is scheduled to host later this year.

The Indian delegation returned to the capital yesterday.

UNI