Male, August 20: With Mumbai attack bringing to fore the terror threat from sea, India today offered naval patrol and aerial surveillance assistance to Maldives that will help serve the security interests of the two countries in the Indian Ocean region.
The assistance where Indian Navy and Coast Guard ships will be involved was offered during talks visiting Defence Minister A K Antony had with the political and military leaders of the island nation. This is seen as a breakthrough for India to get a foothold in Maldives in the backdrop of China trying to further spread its influence in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR.)
“India and Maldives today agreed on a series of measures to step up defence cooperation between the two countries. The Maldives defence leadership expressed concern over the crucial tasks of safeguarding and protecting their vast Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), while stating its need to develop and enhance maritime surveillance and aerial mobility capabilities ,” Indian Defence Ministry spokesperson Sitanshu Kar said.
The decisions were taken during back-to-back meetings Antony had with President Mohammed Nasheed and Defence Minister Ameen Faisal, Kar said. There are fears in Male that one of its island resorts could be taken over by terrorists.
Addressing a joint press conference along with Faisal, Antony said both countries faced myriad security challenges especially from the sea and it would be New Delhi?s efforts to help its neighbour in whichever way it can.
To a query if his visit was driven by third country considerations, Antony said: “I did not come here to discuss about other countries. Do not go by rumours”.
The purpose of his visit, Antony said, was not to enter into any agreement, but to expand cooperation within the existing robust framework.
—Agencies