In the backdrop of maritime terrorism that terrorists resorted to for the first time in India for launching the monumental terror attacks on Mumbai last month, the issue of terrorism dominated the talks of India and Maldives during the three-day visit here, ended on Thursday, by the first democratically elected President Mohammad ‘Anni’ Nasheed.
In a joint statement on Thursday, India and Maldives expressed their commitment to boost their defence and security relations based on shared maritime menace. The two sides stressed that terrorism constitutes one of the gravest threats to international peace and security.
Noticing terrorism that has long before taken the global form, the two sides emphasised the need for concerted and coordinated action by the international community both at regional and international levels to tackle and eventually root out terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.
He also supported the Indian stand on Mumbai attacks stating that the terrorists who staged the three-day rampage came through the sea route from Karachi.
The Maldivian President, pointing out that terrorists have now searched a new ‘sea’ route to strike their targets, said it was ‘imperative to improve maritime surveillance to prevent Mumbai-like attacks.’
Mohammad Nasheed, on his first visit to India, said that the Mumbai attacks had footprints of 16th century piracy activity in the Indian Ocean. "It is not a piracy issue any more. Pirates may be recruited into terrorist cells. That is a best type of terrorist you could get — a pirate,'' stated Nasheed after the conclusion of talks with Indian leaders.
“You have sealed your borders with Pakistan, but you have pushed terrorists into the Indian Ocean,” he said and added that the two countries have planned to intensify joint operations between their coast guards.
“We have a very professional coast guard and we have joint exercises every two years. I believe two years is a very long interval, so it should be more frequent,” he said advocating for being more observant and vigilant at sea.
On being asked about Islamic fundamentalism, Nasheed admitted that around 150 Maldivian students were getting education in various Madrasas in Pakistan, of which 30 to 40 were getting education in more radical ones.
The best way to keep students distant from radicalism, he said, by providing more opportunities and offering scholarships to them in Maldives to study in Indian institutions. He urged Indian government to provide more opportunities for Maldivian students to study in premier institutions like the Jawaharlal Nehru University.
India and Maldives also discussed a wide range of issues of bilateral interests, including defence and security, trade and investment, health, tourism, information and communications technology, science and technology, transportation and air services, higher education, non-conventional energy, fisheries, culture, education and training.
Earlier on Dec 24, India and the Maldives signed two agreements for strengthening bilateral cooperation in aviation sector, and extending a Standby Credit Facility of US $100 million to Maldives.
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