India and Maldives Agreed to Improve Bilateral Maritime Cooperation

India and Maldives on 28 July 2011 decided to intensify bilateral cooperation in many areas including security, combating piracy and terrorism, trade and commerce during the 2-day visit of Indian foreign minister SM Krishna to Maldives. Besides, the two nations also agreed to increase people to people contact. The two nations also discussed several bilateral, regional and internal issues which concern both the countries.  India and Maldives emphasized the need to increase trade ties between them.  

India and Maldives also agreed to increase commercial relations between them besides discussing cooperation in defence and maritime sectors. Both nations wanted special focus on connectivity, including shipping and air. The two countries also held discussions on defence and maritime. Both sides also discussed the issues of piracy and climate change.

A ferry service would be launched to connect Kochi in Kerala to the Maldivian capital of Male. Besides sea connectivity, a daily direct flight between Mumbai and Male was also finalised.