India waiting for Maldives to act post Emergency

India hopes that all countries can play a constructive role in the Maldives, instead of doing the opposite, external affairs ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said.

India said on Friday it was waiting to see the steps to be taken by the Maldivian government after the Emergency imposed amid a raging political crisis gets over.

Opposition supporters protest against the government's delay in releasing their jailed leaders, including former president Mohamed Nasheed, despite a Supreme Court order, in Male, Maldives, on February 4. (Reuters file photo)

“You are aware that we have called on the government of Maldives to lift the state of Emergency and restore the democratic process, including the functioning of judiciary, which is free of intimidation,” external affairs ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said.

“We have noticed that the Emergency declared in the Maldives is valid for the next few days and we will wait to see the steps which will be taken by the government after this,” he said.

The Maldives plunged into a crisis with President Abdulla Yameen declaring a 15-day Emergency and arresting the Chief Justice and a former head of state after the Supreme Court termed as unjust the imprisonment of nine MPs and former President Mohammed Nasheed.

Asked about India’s stand after China said it was against any outside intervention in the Maldives, Kumar repeated his earlier statement that India hoped that “all countries can play a constructive role in the Maldives, instead of doing the opposite”.