India and Maldives have agreed to increase bilateral co-operation in the fields of prevention of drug trafficking, coastal security, disaster management and control of organised crimes, including terrorist activities.

Although they have been closely cooperating in these fields, the two countries will work together to evolve an institutionalised mechanism soon for this purpose, as per an understanding reached during the just-concluded visit of the Union Home Secretary V K Duggal to Maldives, an official release on Thursday said.

The Indian side assured Maldives of continued support in capacity building of their civilian police, particularly in areas of scientific investigation of crime and setting up of forensic facilities. In this connection, a team of forensic experts will visit Maldives next month.

During his stay in Male, Duggal held discussions with Maldives Home Minister Mohammed Thasmeen Ali, Defence Minister Ismail Shafeeu and the Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr Ahmed Shaheed. He also called on President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom.

The Union home secretary, who led a four-member delegation to Maldives, returned to Delhi on Wednesday.