India and the Maldives is set to agree to operationalise an arrangement on mutual legal assistance on criminal matters as part of a strategy to join hands to combat terrorism in the region.

According to Indian news outlet "The Economic Times", it is expected that both countries will reach an agreement on the matter during Indian PM Narendra Modi's visit to the Maldives. During President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih’s visit to Delhi, the two countries had decided to create institutional linkages and establish a framework of cooperation on mutual legal assistance.

"This could fructify into a formal arrangement during Modi’s visit, a person familiar with the matter indicated to ET. Mutual legal assistance arrangement is pertinent amid expanding terrorism and drug smuggling network in India’s southern neighbourhood," the article on ET read.

Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) is an agreement between two or more countries for the purpose of gathering and exchanging information in an effort to enforce public laws or criminal laws. Mechanisms have been developed among nations for requesting and obtaining evidence for criminal investigations and prosecutions.

Modi is set to visit the Maldives on June 8, and will subsequently address the Maldivian parliament as well.