India and Maldives on Monday signed six agreements covering Defence, space, science, tourism, taxation and conservation of mosques, during the visit of President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom.
Speaking after the bilateral talks with Yameen, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the threat of cross-border terrorism, challenge from radicalisation and overall security scenario in the Indian Ocean Region were discussed and both sides agreed to step up cooperation in these areas.
“Today we agreed on several important issues. In Defence sector a concrete Action Plan will be operationalised soon to strengthen cooperation, port security, training of officials and ocean surveillance. On radicalisation we have agreed for information exchange, training of police and security of Maldives,” Modi said after signing of the agreements.
The PM assured Maldives that India was ready to protect its strategic interests in the region and would extend all possible assistance, including in maritime sphere and capacity-building of armed forces, as part of an action plan in the Defence sector. Modi said India is a well-wisher and will match steps with Maldives in its journey towards progress. He added it is in India’s strategic interest to have a stable and secure Maldives and that the challenges of the island country are India’s concerns.
On his part, Yameen made it very clear that the main purpose of his visit was to seek India’s support in the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) where India is represented by Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar. CMAG is looking at the unstable political situation in the country and is urging Yameen Government and nearly wiped out Opposition to have an inclusive political dialogue
“We need continued support from India to prevent any punitive action by the CMAG against Maldives… We look up at India as a leader of SAARC…I have come to a friend (India) who can defend us in CMAG,” Yameen said. He added Maldives pursues an “India first” foreign policy and described it as most important friend of Maldives.
Yameen briefed Modi about the political and institutional reforms going on in Maldives and said island country is undergoing a transition. Modi, while welcoming these reforms said: “India supports all such moves that strengthens citizens and politics.”
India has decided to speed up infrastructure projects like development of ports in Maldives. “The prompt implementation of a concrete action plan in the defence sector will strengthen our defence cooperation. Development of ports, continuous training, capacity building, supply of equipment and maritime surveillance will be its main elements,” Modi said.
He added India understands its role as a net security provider in the Indian Ocean and was ready to protect its strategic interests in this region. Modi said India India is ready to partner Maldives in its ambitious iHaven project, which is being developed under the new laws of the Special Economic Zone. They signed a pact on avoidance of double taxation of income derived from international air transport and a pact on mutual assistance for exchange of information relevant to administration and enforcement of domestic laws concerning taxes to prevent money laundering and tax evasions. India will undertake conservation and restoration of ancient mosques and other historical monuments in Maldives while a pact for coordination for operation of South Asia Satellite developed by India too was signed.