Brushing aside India’s concern, the Maldivian government said that India’s statement “ignore facts and ground realities of the Maldives”.
A day after New Delhi expressed dismay and deep concern over the extended period of the state of Emergency in the Maldives, the Maldivian counterpart has called it a “clear distortion of facts”. Brushing aside India’s concern, the Maldivian government said that India’s statement “ignore facts and ground realities of Maldives”.
A state of Emergency has been imposed in the Maldives by the President Abdulla Yameen following his deadlock with Supreme Court of Maldives. As soon as the emergency was announced, CJI along with other Supreme Court judges was arrested.
The Ministry of External Affairs on Wednesday issued a statement which expressed India’s deep disappointment with the 30 days extension of the emergency in the Maldives. The statement read, “The manner in which the extension of the State of Emergency was approved by the Majlis in contravention of the Constitution of Maldives is also a matter of concern.”
Press release on the State of Emergency in Maldives. It is our expectation that the Government of Maldives will not be seeking the extension of the State of Emergency and resume the political process with immediate effect. Link at https://t.co/sYKSD256HC @EoIMaldives
— Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) February 20, 2018
We are deeply dismayed that the Government of Maldives has extended the state of emergency for a further 30 days. Press Release at https://t.co/Ugr8FoGa8T@EoIMaldives
— Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) February 21, 2018
The statement further observed that the Maldivian government must ensure that all the democratic institutions are allowed to function in accordance with the Constitution. Before the extension of emergency in the Maldives, the Indian government had issued a statement expressing that the normalcy will be restored in the Maldives soon. MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar tweeted, “It is our expectation that the Government of Maldives will not be seeking the extension of the State of Emergency and resume the political process with immediate effect.”
However, the government of Maldives still went against the request and extended the emergency period for more 30 days. In a response to India’s statement, Maldives said that the government recognizes the country is going through one of the most difficult periods in History. Further criticizing India’s stance, it read, “It is therefore important that friends and partners in the international community, including India, refrain from any actions that could hinder resolving the situation.”
However, the statement also asserted that the Maldives looks forward to working closely with the international community including India and if these nations have any issue, the Maldivian government will address it.
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