India committed to aiding Maldives in addressing challenges

India is committed to assisting Maldives in achieving defence and security objectives as both countries have had to address the challenges of piracy, smuggling, extremism and religious fundamentalism, President Pranab Mukherjee said.
Welcoming President of Maldives Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom, who is on his first State visit here after assuming the post, Mukherjee said the visit reflected the priority attached to the bilateral relationship with India and the same is fully reciprocated.
"India, like Maldives, would like to see uninterrupted peace and security prevail in the Indian Ocean region. Both countries have had to address the challenges of piracy, smuggling, extremism and religious fundamentalism," he said.

At the banquet hosted in honour of the visiting Head of State yesterday in Rashtrapati Bhavan, the President said India remains fully cognisant of the needs of Maldives in dealing with these issues and is committed to assisting the Government of Maldives in achieving its defence and security objectives.
Mukherjee said among the areas of close cooperation between India and Maldives was an excellent defence and security relationship.