Indian Counter-Terror Envoy meets Maldivian Defense Minister

Indian Prime Minister’s Special Envoy on Countering Terrorism and Extremism, Asif Ibrahim has called upon Maldivian Minister of Defense, Adam Shareef Umar.

The former Intelligence Bureau Chief Asif met with Defense Minister Adam Shareef Umar at Bandaara Koshi on Thursday morning.

Maldives National Defense Force reported that Asif and Adam Shareef Umar discussed steps being taken by India and Maldives to stamp out terrorism and extremism, and ways the two countries can collaborate so that it’s more effective.

“The work of Maldives Counter-Terrorism Center was also discussed,” reported MNDF.

Classified documents sent by Intelligence Bureau of India to multiple other Indian agencies were leaked in the media earlier this July, saying that the future threat of terrorist organization

Islamic State (IS) activities in the Indian Ocean was strongest in Maldives.

IB reported that IS had been successfully using internet and social media to influence the youth of Maldives, and that IS was determined to expand its network.

“The local security agencies in Maldives are fully aware of the issue and have been taking corrective steps regarding the increasing influence and attempts being made by ISIS in the island country. But since the development is happening virtually in India’s own backyard, it means that our security agencies need to be extremely careful about it,” a senior Indian intelligence official was quoted by newspapers as saying.

The reports said that though there were IS sympathizers among the youth of Maldives, the terrorist organization had not yet been able to establish a strong enough presence in the country to carry out any major subversive activities.

“We are in touch with our counterparts in Maldives and have been sharing information with them as this issue is not limited to just one country, but will ultimately impact the entire region. So we need a collective effort to curb this growing menace of ISIS,” said the Indian intelligence official.