India to seal defence pact with Maldives

Amid fears by Maldives that one of its island resorts could be taken over by terrorists in the absence of military assets, India will sign a defence pact with that country during Defence Minister A K Antony's three-day visit there. 

The agreement envisages Indian help to Maldives in setting up a network of ground radars in all its atolls and
linking them with the Indian Coastal Command. 

Indian Navy and Coast Guard warships would patrol Maldives' pirate-infested waters and secure it from terror threats under the agreement which comes after Male conveyed its fear to New Delhi. 

Antony, who will lead a high-level delegation, will hold discussion with Maldivian President Mohammed Nasheed, apart from government leaders and the military top brass. 

He will also hold bilateral discussions with his counterpart Ameen Faisal on ways of expanding military cooperation between the two countries, a Defence Ministry spokesperson said today. 

The Defence Minister's delegation will comprise ministry's Secretary Pradeep Kumar, Armed Forces Medical Services director General Lt Gen N K Parmar, Coast Guard Director General Vice Admiral Anil Chopra and Deputy Chief of Navy Staff Vice Admiral D K Joshi.Antony will also attend the closing session of the India-Maldives Friendship event, besides paying a visit to the Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital, the most visible symbol of Indo-Maldives cooperation and friendship.

The 200-bed general and speciality hospital, established by India, has over the years provided Maldives greater self-reliance in the field of medical care. 

The two countries share ethnic, linguistic, cultural, religious and commercial links steeped in antiquity and enjoy close, cordial and multi-dimensional relations. 

India was among the first to recognise Maldives after Independence in 1965 and to establish diplomatic relations with the country. 

New Delhi's prompt assistance during the 1988 coup attempt, when Indian armed forces repulsed the Sri Lankan Tamil military group's attack on Maldives but withdrew after the crisis was defused, marked a watershed in bilateral ties.  India was the first to rush relief and aid to Maldives when Tsunami struck the island in 2004. 

In April 2006, India gifted a fast attack craft, INS Tillanchang, to Maldives as a goodwill gesture.