India in its official statement said that the arrest of the Supreme Court Chief Justice of Maldives and political figures are also reasons for concern.
Responding to the crisis in the Maldives, India said it is deeply “disturbed” by the declaration of emergency in the state. India, in the official statement also called the arrest of Supreme Court judges and prominent political figure a matter of concern.
Maldives President Abdulla Yameen yesterday declared a state of Emergency in the country for 15 days. The president had been in the tussle with the Supreme Court of the country for past few days. The allies of President Abdulla Yameen believe that the Supreme Court is conspiring to bring down the government. The court had earlier ordered Yameen to release nine opposition leaders who were jailed by his government. However, Yameen refused to comply.
After the arrest of his estranged brother and former President of Maldives Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, Yameen yesterday also arrested Supreme Court judges and opposition leaders.
India issued an advisory to its nationals yesterday and has asked them to undertake travel to the island nation.
Our Press Statement on the latest situation in #Maldives following the declaration of a State of Emergency on 1 February is at https://t.co/YgyMmgl4Cj
— Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) February 6, 2018
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement, “We are disturbed by the declaration of a State of Emergency in the Maldives following the refusal of the government to abide by the unanimous ruling of the full bench of the Supreme Court on February 1, and also by the suspension of constitutional rights of the people of Maldives.”
Responding sharply to the arrest of prominent figures, India said, “The arrest of the Supreme Court Chief Justice and political figures are also reasons for concern.” The statement also warned that the “Government continues to carefully monitor the situation”.
On behalf of Maldivian people we humbly request:
1. India to send envoy, backed by its military, to release judges & pol. detainees inc. Prez. Gayoom. We request a physical presence.
2. The US to stop all financial transactions of Maldives regime leaders going through US banks.— Mohamed Nasheed (@MohamedNasheed) February 6, 2018
The former President of Maldives Mohamed Nasheed tweeted seeking India’s intervention in the matter. Earlier, the Supreme Court judges of Maldives too had requested help from India. He tweeted, “On behalf of Maldivian people we humbly request: 1. India to send an envoy, backed by its military, to release judges & pol. detainees inc. Prez. Gayoom. We request a physical presence. 2. The US to stop all financial transactions of Maldives regime leaders going through US banks.”
However, India so far has not responded to the request. It is to be noted that Indo-Maldives relations strengthened after 1988 when the then Prime Minister of India, Rajiv Gandhi sent Indian troops under ‘Operation Cactus’ to rescue President Gayoom and restore his government after the terrorist attack.
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