India will work with Maldives for a peaceful Indian Ocean: Indian President

President of India Shri Pranab Mukherjee has said that India wishes to work with Maldives and other like-minded nations to ensure peace in the Indian Ocean region.

This was revealed in a statement issued by the Rashtrapati Bhavan, the official home of the President of India on Friday following discussions between the Indian President and President Abdulla Yameen after a banquet hosted in the honour of the Maldivian President on Thursday.

The Indian President said that, in coming to India on his first State Visit abroad, the President Yameen has reflected the priority that Maldives attaches to the bilateral relationship with India.

“The President said India wishes to work with Maldives and other like-minded nations to ensure peace in the Indian Ocean region. India and Maldives are natural partners in this enterprise,” the statement read.

Shri Pranab Mukherjee said that as India, like Maldives, has had to address the challenges of piracy, smuggling, extremism and religious fundamentalism, both countries would like to see uninterrupted peace and security prevail in the Indian Ocean region.

“India remains fully cognizant of the needs of Maldives in dealing with these issues and is committed to assist in achieving the defence and security objectives of the Government of Maldives,” read the Indian President's statement.

He said that India has always been happy to extend support and assistance, as and when required, to Maldives and that India will be happy to continue to do so in the years to come.

The Indian President also said that the recent Presidential elections and the smooth transition of power is testimony to the strengthening of democracy in Maldives and that India appreciates the efforts of the political leadership in the Maldives in ensuring a free and fair electoral process and a constructive outcome.