IANS
New Delhi/Male
A cabinet meeting chaired by India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi yesterday approved the signing of a mutual legal assistance treaty between India and the Maldives.
The signing aims to enhance effectiveness of both countries in investigation and prosecution of crime through co-operation and mutual legal assistance in criminal matters, an official statement said.
“In the context of transnational crime and its linkages to terrorism, the proposed treaty will provide a broad legal framework for bilateral co-operation with Maldives in investigation and prosecution of crime as well as in tracing, restraint and confiscation of proceeds, and instruments of crime as well as funds meant to finance terrorist acts,” the statement added.
Early this month, Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj visited the Maldives for the fifth joint commission meeting.
The Indian minister emphasised the Indian government’s policy of “neighbours first”, said an official
statement.
In their discussions during the joint commission meeting, Sushma Swaraj and Maldivian Foreign Minister Dunya Maumoon reviewed the entire gamut of the relationship.
These discussions held special significance not only because the joint commission was meeting after 15 years but also because the meeting took place in the year of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between India and the Maldives.
The defence and security relationship was part of the forward looking discussions in the joint commission for the first time. Ongoing co-operation was reviewed and future requirements were discussed.
India-Maldives defence co-operation includes, the construction of a composite training centre for the Maldivian National Defence Forces, joint patrolling, training programmes for MNDF officers in India, medical camps, joint exercises among others.
Sectors such as tourism, fisheries, education, IT, infrastructure development, energy cooperation including renewable energy, and traditional medicine were identified for future
co-operation.
Both countries agreed to sign agreements at the earliest on avoidance of double taxation and tax information exchange.
They agreed to also consider the Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement for early finalisation.
The Maldivian side requested Indian assistance to set up a state-of the-art National Diagnostic Centre in the
Maldives.
There was agreement on continuing the training of health professionals of the Maldives and to agree on the deputation of Indian specialist doctors to IGMH.
Both sides agreed to create a framework for co-operation in the area of traditional
medicine.