New Delhi, Feb 4 : India and Maldives will work together to meet the threat of sea-borne terrorism.

This emerged during a meeting between Defence Minister AK Antony and the visiting Minister of Defence and National Security of Maldives, Ameen Faisal here.

Antony assured the Maldivian leader of India''s continued support to the island nation in meeting all its security and development needs.

He said that the strategic interests of India and Maldives are interlinked and that New Delhi was keen to strengthen and expand the defence relations between the two countries in the coming years.

The two leaders agreed that we have a joint interest in the security of the sea-lanes of communication. They also decided to enhance training and joint exercises.

The Indian Army conducts a joint exercise ''Ekueuvrin'' with the Maldivian National Defence Forces on counter-terrorism. The Indian Coast Guard also conducts an exercise on maritime rescue operations and patrolling of seas around Maldives called ''Dosti''.

Faisal is leading an eight-member Maldivian delegation on a visit to India from February 1 to 5. (ANI)