India readies ‘contingency plan’ for new scenario in Maldives

As Maldives finds itself caught up in a crisis, India has updated a “contingency plan” to address fallout of the new scenario unfolding in the Indian Ocean cluster islands. Jayanth Jacob and Rahul Singh report. Arrest warrant against ex-Prez | Was it really a coup in Maldives?

As Maldives finds itself caught up in a crisis, India has updated a “contingency plan” to address fallout of the new scenario unfolding in the Indian Ocean cluster islands.

Meanwhile, ousted president Mohamad Nasheed's close aides contacted New Delhi thrice on Thursday over the political developments in Maldives.

The events in Maldives saw top officials of the National Security Council, crisis management committee and defence ministry hold separate meetings to evaluate the evolving situation and chart out India's response plan.

Government sources said the high-level meetings also factored in a possible Chinese role in the developments.

India has an expatriate population of 30,000 in that country. The contingency plans involve air, naval and land elements. Official sources said, "What we are looking at is just humanitarian assistance at this stage." The sources ruled out a direct military invention on the lines of the one carried out in 1988.

"The best course of action is political parties in Maldives themselves finding a way out," the sources added. However, New Delhi has noted Nasheed "upping the ante" with his outburst over a host of issues that could further vitiate the political climate.

Sources said naval ships could be put on standby depending on the situation.