Contact Us 
Subscribe Us
They underlined the need to ensure that no territory under a country's control is used for terrorist attacks on others
India and the Maldives have strongly condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, including cross-border terrorism, and emphasized the need to strengthen international cooperation to combat it in a comprehensive and sustained manner, India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Monday (July 24, 2023).
The issue was discussed at the Second Meeting of the Joint Working Group on Counter Terrorism, Countering Violent Extremism and De-Radicalisation between Maldives and India held in Male.
According to information provided by the MEA, a crucial focus of the discussion revolved around strengthening counter-terrorism cooperation as an important aspect of maintaining security in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
The two sides evaluated the threats posed by UN-sanctioned terrorist entities and stressed the need for unified action against all terrorist networks. They underlined the urgent need for all countries to take immediate, sustained, verifiable, and irreversible action to ensure that no territory under their control is used for terrorist attacks on others and to expeditiously bring to justice the perpetrators of such attacks.
The talks also saw India and Maldives sharing their experiences in combating terrorism and extremism. They exchanged views on various areas of cooperation, such as countering radicalisation and violent extremism, combating terrorism financing, and thwarting the exploitation of the internet and cyberspace for malicious purposes.
Both sides recognized the significance of mutual information sharing and emphasized the need for capacity building and establishing institutional linkages among law enforcement agencies, security forces, customs, immigration, and other relevant bodies to effectively tackle the menace of terrorism. They also exchanged views on enhancing bilateral cooperation against organised crime and narcotics, repatriation, rehabilitation, and reintegration of returnees.
A notable highlight of the meeting was the reaffirmation of the commitment to enhance dialogue and cooperation in multilateral fora, such as the United Nations and the Colombo Security Conclave (CSC). The Colombo Security Conclave provides a valuable platform for regional cooperation on security matters. The forum allows India and Maldives, along with other members like Sri Lanka, to advocate for a coordinated approach to counter-terrorism efforts with other nations in the IOR region.
The Maldivian delegation was led by Foreign Secretary Ahmed Lathee and the Indian delegation was led by Secretary (West), Ministry of External Affairs Sanjay Verma.
The Indian delegation's visit to the Maldivian National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC) added another dimension to the meeting. The NCTC plays a crucial role in coordinating "whole-of-government" and "whole-of-society" efforts to counter terrorism and violent extremism in the Maldives. India assimilated from Maldives' experiences firsthand, and shared best practices in combating terrorism, further deepening the bilateral collaboration in this critical area.
The partnership between India and Maldives holds tremendous potential for ensuring peace and stability in the Indian Ocean Region, a vital maritime corridor that connects continents and facilitates global trade.
India and Maldives have a long history of cooperation, and this meeting further solidified their commitment to tackle the challenges posed by terrorism and extremism collaboratively. Both nations recognized the need for a comprehensive approach that goes beyond reactive measures and delves into preventive strategies. Countering radicalization and violent extremism at the grassroots level through community engagement, education, and empowerment emerged as a shared priority during the discussions.
The Joint Working Group meeting converged the role of intelligence-sharing in combating attack risks and consequences. Terrorism knows no borders, and transnational networks exploit weaknesses in security apparatuses. With the current strengthening strategy, India and Maldives can proactively respond to potential threats and prevent acts of terror before they occur. The discussed partnership can also disrupt the financial lifelines of terrorist organizations.
Looking ahead, sustained engagement and regular interactions between India and Maldives will be vital in translating the commitments made during the Joint Working Group meeting into tangible actions. The continued sharing of best practices, joint training exercises, and capacity-building initiatives is an attempt to develop a more potent understanding of each other's challenges and strengths, leading to more effective and efficient counter-terrorism measures.
The issue was discussed at the Second Meeting of the Joint Working Group on Counter Terrorism, Countering Violent Extremism and De-Radicalisation between Maldives and India held in Male.
According to information provided by the MEA, a crucial focus of the discussion revolved around strengthening counter-terrorism cooperation as an important aspect of maintaining security in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
The two sides evaluated the threats posed by UN-sanctioned terrorist entities and stressed the need for unified action against all terrorist networks. They underlined the urgent need for all countries to take immediate, sustained, verifiable, and irreversible action to ensure that no territory under their control is used for terrorist attacks on others and to expeditiously bring to justice the perpetrators of such attacks.
The talks also saw India and Maldives sharing their experiences in combating terrorism and extremism. They exchanged views on various areas of cooperation, such as countering radicalisation and violent extremism, combating terrorism financing, and thwarting the exploitation of the internet and cyberspace for malicious purposes.
Both sides recognized the significance of mutual information sharing and emphasized the need for capacity building and establishing institutional linkages among law enforcement agencies, security forces, customs, immigration, and other relevant bodies to effectively tackle the menace of terrorism. They also exchanged views on enhancing bilateral cooperation against organised crime and narcotics, repatriation, rehabilitation, and reintegration of returnees.
A notable highlight of the meeting was the reaffirmation of the commitment to enhance dialogue and cooperation in multilateral fora, such as the United Nations and the Colombo Security Conclave (CSC). The Colombo Security Conclave provides a valuable platform for regional cooperation on security matters. The forum allows India and Maldives, along with other members like Sri Lanka, to advocate for a coordinated approach to counter-terrorism efforts with other nations in the IOR region.
The Maldivian delegation was led by Foreign Secretary Ahmed Lathee and the Indian delegation was led by Secretary (West), Ministry of External Affairs Sanjay Verma.
The Indian delegation's visit to the Maldivian National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC) added another dimension to the meeting. The NCTC plays a crucial role in coordinating "whole-of-government" and "whole-of-society" efforts to counter terrorism and violent extremism in the Maldives. India assimilated from Maldives' experiences firsthand, and shared best practices in combating terrorism, further deepening the bilateral collaboration in this critical area.
The partnership between India and Maldives holds tremendous potential for ensuring peace and stability in the Indian Ocean Region, a vital maritime corridor that connects continents and facilitates global trade.
India and Maldives have a long history of cooperation, and this meeting further solidified their commitment to tackle the challenges posed by terrorism and extremism collaboratively. Both nations recognized the need for a comprehensive approach that goes beyond reactive measures and delves into preventive strategies. Countering radicalization and violent extremism at the grassroots level through community engagement, education, and empowerment emerged as a shared priority during the discussions.
The Joint Working Group meeting converged the role of intelligence-sharing in combating attack risks and consequences. Terrorism knows no borders, and transnational networks exploit weaknesses in security apparatuses. With the current strengthening strategy, India and Maldives can proactively respond to potential threats and prevent acts of terror before they occur. The discussed partnership can also disrupt the financial lifelines of terrorist organizations.
Looking ahead, sustained engagement and regular interactions between India and Maldives will be vital in translating the commitments made during the Joint Working Group meeting into tangible actions. The continued sharing of best practices, joint training exercises, and capacity-building initiatives is an attempt to develop a more potent understanding of each other's challenges and strengths, leading to more effective and efficient counter-terrorism measures.
Contact Us 
Subscribe 
News Letter 
