The Hindu : Security, SAARC dominate PM-Gayoom talks

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Sep 24, 2002

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Security, SAARC dominate PM-Gayoom talks

By V. Jayanth

MALE Sept. 23. Terrorism, security and South Asian regional cooperation apparently dominated the one-to-one talks between the visiting Prime Minister, Atal Behari Vajpayee, and the Maldives President, Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, here today.

The two leaders, who met for about 40 minutes, later held delegation-level talks at the Presidential office, overlooking the Indian Ocean, amid unprecedented security for a bilateral visit. Issues of mutual concern, regional cooperation and global problems came up for discussion during the talks.

Apart from expanding the bilateral cooperation, India and the Maldives agreed to work together on regional and global issues of mutual concern. If terrorism was on top of India's priorities, global warming and environmental protection were the major concerns of the host.

At a lunch hosted in his honour by Mr. Gayoom, Mr. Vajpayee said: "Some irrational political motivations are hindering our efforts for closer economic integration within SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation). As I had said at the SAARC summit in Kathmandu, India is willing to extend, unilaterally if necessary, the maximum possible economic and trade concessions to the least developed countries within SAARC. We cannot let growth and development remain hostage to petty political jealousies.''

Later, at a civic reception, Mr. Vajpayee underscored the need for continuing the "global war against terrorism.''

"As with the environment, no island is immune from the problems of terrorism. A year ago, the reach and destruction of international terrorism showed itself on the global stage. Our region has suffered from the ravages of terrorism for decades before that. Both India and the Maldives have committed themselves to join the war against international terrorism.''

Mr. Vajpayee said that "it is a global war calling for partnership primarily among democratic societies, which are most threatened by the bigoted ideologies that drive terrorism. India and Maldives have a cooperative role both in our region and on the global arena as democratic societies against international terrorism.''

Mr. Gayoom also responded to India's concerns. At the lunch he hosted for Mr. Vajpayee, he said that trans-national terrorism endangers peace and the stability of many countries and called for closer cooperation.

In a pre-visit interview to the Maldivian journalists, Mr. Vajpayee called for updating the SAARC Convention on Terrorism. He said: "Our Foreign Ministers met in August and recommended that an additional protocol should be drafted to the convention. India has also proposed that a Ministerial level meeting should be convened to discuss the issue of terrorism."

Incidentally, India has signed an agreement to `gift' a P-18 radar to the Maldives. Maldivian personnel are being trained by the Defence Ministry, and the radar would be installed in the archipelago and made operational.

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