New Delhi, Aug 20 - Seeking a greater foothold in the Indian Ocean Region, Defence Minister A.K. Antony Thursday left for a three-day visit to the Maldives during which a pact for greater defence cooperation is expected to be signed.

According to defence ministry sources, the island nation has sought greater defence cooperation from India in terms of coastal security and patrolling of the waters around it.

'Shortly after his arrival at the Maldivian capital in Male, Antony will call on President Mohammed Nasheed. He will hold talks with the top leadership of the government and the Maldives National Defence Force,' an official said.

The minister will also hold bilateral discussions with his counterpart Ameen Faisal on ways of expanding defence cooperation between the two countries,' he added.

Antony is accompanied by a high-level delegation comprising Defence Secretary Pradeep Kumar, Director General Armed Forces Lt Gen N.K. Parmar, Director General Coast Guard Vice Admiral Anil Chopra and Deputy Chief of Indian Navy Vice Admiral D.K. Joshi.

There is a proposal to link Maldives coastal security network with the Indian coastal radar network. The step would help India in securing its more than 7,500 km long shoreline.