Manmohan Singh becomes first foreign leader to address Maldives parliament

Extremism and religious fundamentalism are among the common challenges India and Maldives are faced with, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said today as the two countries agreed to adopt a multi-pronged approach to deal with these problems.

In a rare honour given to a visiting dignitary, Singh addressed the People's Majlis (Parliament) in which he said India's security, like that of the host country, was closely linked to what happens in the Indian Ocean.

Singh, who was given a standing ovation by Maldivian MPs, is the first visiting head of government to address the multi-party Majlis that was formed after the historic Parliamentary polls in 2009.

"The challenges we face are well known -- extremism and religious fundamentalism, piracy, smuggling and drug trafficking to name a few," he said in his address that was received well in the 75-member house in which President Mohammed Nasheed's Maldivian Democratic Party heads the ruling coalition.

"Our two countries have agreed upon a multi-pronged approach to deal with these problems. To build capacity within Maldives, India will support the construction of a National Police Academy," Singh said.

He told lawmakers India and Maldives have bilaterally entered into arrangements on combating terrorism, drug trafficking, disaster management and coastal security and transfer of sentenced persons. These will strengthen the framework of cooperation on law enforcement and consular matters.

Singh said at the regional level the two countries should enhance their cooperation to increase maritime domain awareness and surveillance...