India works for consensus on Maldives poll

As it looks forward to political stability in the neighbouring Maldives, India on Thursday brought all local parties on board in favour of an early election in the island-country.

As it looks forward to political stability in the neighbouring Maldives, India on Thursday brought all local parties on board in favour of an early election in the island-country.

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Foreign secretary Ranjan Mathai, who visited Male as a part of New Delhi's continued engagement to assist the local political leadership, announced, "The (Maldives) Government will hold discussions with all relevant parties to conduct elections by an early date. (It) will work towards the conditions that will permit such elections to take place including any necessary constitutional amendments."

Mathai met the President of Maldives and other leaders including Mohamed Nasheed-the ousted President. Mathai also held discussions with the Chief Justice of Maldives and the Speaker of the People's Majlis.

"I reiterated there is need for a Maldivian led process for reconciliation and resolving political differences through constitutional means," Mathai later said at Male.

Claiming that there was a degree of convergence among the political parties, Mathai said, "The parties also agreed to the need for maintenance of constitutional order. The President has come out with a roadmap for an inclusive political process which provides a very good basis for the parties to resolve their differences."