India, Maldives discuss security ties

NEW DELHI, Feb. 4 (UPI) -- Top defense officials from India and Maldives are meeting in New Delhi to discuss ways to strengthen cooperation on countering terrorist threats at sea.

A.K. Antony, Indian defense minister, is hosting Ameen Faisal, Maldives minister of defense and national security, along with other defense officials in New Delhi through Thursday. Officials say the meetings are part of an initiative to expand bilateral security relations between India and Maldives, the Indian Ministry of Defense reported.

Antony called the security interests of both countries "interlinked" and said that pursuing greater cooperation to combat sea-based terrorism would strengthen security in the region.

"New Delhi (is) keen (on) strengthening and expanding the defense relations between the two countries in the coming years," the release said.