India and the Maldives have agreed to jointly patrol and conduct surveillance to strengthen maritime security in the Indian Ocean Region. Briefing the media after holding delegation level talks with Maldivian President Yameen Abdul Gayoom in New Delhi this afternoon, Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh said, India is ready to provide further assistance to the Maldives to enhance capability to address shared security challenges. India has also extended the line of credit upto 25 million US Dollars to the Maldives. The Prime Minister said, both countries have decided that they will not allow their territory to be used for terrorist activities in the region.

Dr Singh hailed the Maldivian government and people for peaceful Presidential elections to consolidate democracy in the island nation.

Terming the India-Maldives relationship as phenomenal, Maldivian President Yameen Abdul Gayoom mentioned India's assistance to his country for development over the years. He invited corporate India to invest in the Maldives which he said offers immense opportunities to businesses.
Our correspondent reports that Mr. Gayoom was given a ceremonial reception at the Rashtrapati Bhavan this morning. Earlier he laid a wreath at the Samadhi of Mahatma Gandhi, at Rajghat, in the national capital. He will also meet President Pranab Mukherjee to discuss key bilateral and regional issues this evening. Mr Gayoom who assumed office in November last year is on a four-day official visit to the country. The visit would provide an opportunity to further enhance the close and multifaceted relations between India and the Maldives.