Male, July 28:  Reflecting growing congruence in their relationship, India and Maldives today decided to intensify bilateral cooperation in diverse fields including trade, commerce, security, combating piracy and terrorism as well as enhancing people-to-people contact.
 External Affairs Minister S M Krishna called on Maldivian President Mohamed Nasheed and held wide ranging talks. He also met his Maldivian counterpart Ahmed Naseem during which both sides decided further intensification in their relationship.
 "Both the countries understand the importance of cooperation in the field of defence and security and we are determined to work jointly considering our security interests.
 We are cooperating to combat piracy, terrorism, drug trafficking and other possible threat to our countries," Krishna told reporters after the meetings.Identifying piracy as a common threat to both the countries, Krishna said, the two countries are enhancing cooperation in this regard.
 Both the sides, in their meetings discussed various bilateral, regional and internal issues concerning both the countries while identifying the need to enhance trade ties between the two 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 said.

Lastupdate on : Thu, 28 Jul 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Thu, 28 Jul 2011 18:30:00 GMT
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