NEW DELHI: Foreign minister Salman Khurshid called his counterpart in the Maldives Abdul Samad Abdulla to discuss the case of former president Nasheed's refuge in the Indian mission and the September 7 elections. While details were not available, Khurshid is understood to have asked the Maldivian government to create conducive climate for all shades of political opinion to function without fear. However, Nasheed will continue to stay in the Indian mission for the time being.
Emerging from the conversation, Khurshid told journalists, "I hope that we can come to a resolution of the present situation which is to the satisfaction of everybody. But it is still an ongoing process. It is difficult to say anything right now. I think we have had a good conversation. We have understood on both sides the totality of the circumstances." Describing Maldives as "valuable friends of India", Khurshid cautioned against "inaccurate" reporting of events.
Maldivian government said Nasheed could come out because the warrant against him had lapsed. "Nasheed's arrest warrant has ceased and he won't be arrested," said Imad Masood, spokesman for President Waheed Hussain Manik. "He was asked by the court to be arrested and produced on Wednesday to appear in a case against him. But since the court case time has elapsed, the arrest warrant also has ceased automatically," he added.
"The court will now announce a fresh date for the hearing and Nasheed can appear without being arrested," Masood said. Nasheed had refused to appear for the court hearing which prompted the arrest warrant. Nasheed has stuck to his old line, saying, "An interim, caretaker government should be established that can lead the Maldives to genuinely free and fair elections, in which all candidates are freely able to compete."
Earlier, the Maldivian foreign ministry denied New Delhi's claim that Indian officials had spoken to the its government about Nasheed as claimed by the ministry of external affairs (MEA) on Wednesday. "Maldives wishes to confirm that neither the High Commission of India in Male, nor any other authority of the Government of India has had discussion with the Government of Maldives concerning former President of Maldives Mohamed Nasheed's reported request for 'refuge'." Indian officials clarified that the Indian High Commissioner, D M Mulay, had spoken to the Maldivian defence minister on Wednesday, who is by and large regarded as the most powerful figure in Waheed's government.
Nasheed is determined to get India involved in domestic politics, having just visited here to meet with senior leaders here, including National Security Advisor (NSA) Shivsankar Menon. The Indian government is not particularly enamoured of President Waheed just now, but it is equally impatient with the petulant politics practiced by Nasheed. However, as the biggest power in the region, India is now forced to get its hands dirty in internal political troubles of the island nation.
Khurshid speaks to Maldivian foreign minister to diffuse Nasheed crisis
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Khurshid speaks to Maldivian foreign minister to diffuse Nasheed crisis
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Khurshid speaks to Maldivian foreign minister to diffuse Nasheed crisis
