Male: Maldives on Friday sought more flight connectivity and ferry services between its islands and India as the two countries reviewed the entire gamut of bilateral ties, including cooperation in defence and economic sectors.
External Affairs Minister SM Krishna, who was in Maldives on a two-day visit, held extensive talks with his counterpart Ahmed Naseem, besides meeting Defence and National Security Minister TI Kaleyfaanu, Home Minister Hassan Afeef, Economic Development Minister Mahmood Razee and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Aslam Shakir.
During the talks, the Maldivian side called for more flight connectivity and ferry services between the two countries. It also sought more integration with the Indian economy, officials said.
The two sides have already decided to soon launch a ferry service to connect Kochi in Kerala with the Maldivian capital of Male as part of efforts to improve connectivity. A daily direct flight between Mumbai and Male has also been finalised.
Officials of the Ministry of External Affairs said earlier that expressions of interest have already been invited for the ferry service, which will have all facilities available in a cruise.
Krishna on Thursday said that India wanted measures for better people-to-people contact with Maldives. "We have been working together on increasing connectivity and closer economic integration," he said.
Officials said Civil Aviation Ministry has approved the proposal for a direct daily flight between Mumbai and Male.
According to sources, Kingfisher Airlines was likely to operate the daily flight.
Currently the flights to Male were operating from Thiruvananthapuram and Bangalore.
During Krishna's talks, both sides expressed satisfaction at the momentum in ties in the past two-and-a-half years and also stressed on expanding cooperation in the field of maritime security.
Krishna, who also called on Maldivian President Mohamed Nasheed on Thursday, reviewed progress in bilateral ties with the leadership, with focus on economic and defence sectors.
The External Affairs Minister also visited the 26-strong Indian Coast Guard contingent in Maldives' Gan island, which has been stationed there since April last year. He appreciated their efforts in providing maritime security to the island nation.
The Indian contingent also has a helicopter, the only chopper in Maldives for maritime security. The helicopter is also used in medical emergencies.
India has invested around $ 1 billion in Maldives in the past two years years, which includes infrastructure major GMR's investment in the Male International Airport.
Krishna, who was accompanied by Foreign Secretary-designate Ranjan Mathai and other MEA officials, also visited the under-construction SAARC convention centre
being built in Gan.
In a goodwill gesture, Krishna on Thursday handed over $ 5 million in cash assistance to Maldives to organise the SAARC summit in November this year.
He said that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was looking forward to his visit to Maldives to participate in the SAARC summit.
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