Wednesday, March 30 2005 13:51 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: India has indicated to Maldives its readiness to attend the twice-deferred South Asian Association for Regional Co-operation (SAARC) Summit at Dhaka any time convenient to other members of the seven-nation grouping.

"We discussed when the 13th SAARC Summit can be convened. Both India and the Maldives are ready to meet any time convenient to other leaders," visiting Maldives President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom said at a press conference in New Delhi today (Mar 30, 2005).

"We hope that dates convenient for all will be identified soon," said Gayoom, who during his six-day visit held discussions with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and other leaders.

The Summit, slated to be held from January 9 to 11, was put off in the wake of the tsunami tragedy, which had affected three member countries - Sri Lanka, Maldives and India.

A curtailed two-day Summit was slated from February 6 but this was deferred with India pulling out of it citing "deteriorating" security situation in Bangladesh and developments in Nepal where King Gyanendra dismissed the Sher Bahadur Deuba Government, declared emergency, detained political leaders and imposed press censorship.

Pakistan, the current SAARC Chairman, has suggested that the Summit be held in April. Besides India, Pakistan, Maldives other members of the grouping are Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan and Sri Lanka.

On the discussions he held with the leaders in Delhi, Gayoom said that the Maldives side has expressed support for India's bid for a permanent seat in the UN Security Council (UNSC) as a measure that reflected current realities and India's role in world affairs.

Joining India in welcoming the proposals recently made by the UN Secretary General, Gayoom said, "We believe the UN Security Council must reflect the realities of our times in order to strengthen its effectiveness and relevance."

He said, "The Maldives will extend its full support for a permanent seat for India in an expanded Security Council. I have accordingly assured Prime Minister Singh of our full support to India in this matter."

Asked about Defence cooperation, Gayoom said that India has agreed to provide the support Maldives needs for training its military personnel and police.

Maldives has asked for an increase in the number of slots for its national security personnel being trained in India.

He said that the two sides have identified areas in which cooperation will be further accelerated. These cover development of human resources, particularly in the fields of medicine, education and information technology.

Enhanced cooperation in the field of environment and tourism and collaboration in science and technology were issues that also figured during the parleys.

Gayoom held meetings with President A P J Abdul Kalam, United Progressive Alliance (UPA) chairperson Sonia Gandhi, External Affairs Minister K Natwar Singh, Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee and leader of Opposition L K Advani.

Gayoom, who left on visits to Chennai and Thiruvananthapuram, described India as a "crucial development and strategic partner". He said "in addition to being a major player in the region, India is also an influential nation on the world stage".

Gayoom said that India and Maldives shared common views on a range of international issues like more equitable development, human rights, the fight against terrorism and UN reforms.

The Maldives President, who has held the top slot for the last 26 years, said his country was pursuing an ambitious reform agenda to make it a modern and mature democracy.

Observing that India has been a vital development partner in the progress that Maldives has attained, he said, "We look to continued collaboration with India in the time ahead as well."

Gayoom said that he has invited President A P J Abdul Kalam and the Prime Minister to visit the Maldives.