Q. 157 Former President of Maldives taking shelter in Indian High Commission

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to satate :-

(a) the circumstances under which former President Nasheed of Maldives had to take shelter in the Indian High Commission in Male;

(b) whether the recent developments in Maldives affected relations between India and Maldives; and

(c) whether the developments in Maldives have been caused due to pressures of extremist elements and interest being taken in the Indian Ocean by some neighbours of India?

ANSWER THE MINISTER OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRI SALMAN KHURSHID)

(a) to (c) A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

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STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (c) OF RAJYA SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 157 REGARDING "FORMER PRESIDENT OF MALDIVES TAKING SHELTER IN INDIAN
HIGH COMMISSION" FOR ANSWER ON 07.03.2013

(a) to (c) Following an arrest warrant issued against him by the Hulhumale Magistrate Court, the former President of Maldives, Mr. Mohamed Nasheed, came to the High Commission of India, Male on 13 February 2013 and sought India’s assistance. Subsequent to our engagement with the Government of Maldives and all stakeholders, it became possible for Mr. Nasheed to leave the High Commission on 23 February 2013, after a stay of 11 days, to resume his social and political life.

Mr. Nasheed had entered the Indian High Commission in Male on his own volition and had similarly decided to leave on his own.

India has traditional and age old ties of friendship and cooperation with Maldives and has maintained broad based contacts with all political parties and democratic institutions in Maldives. India continues to work closely with the Government and other relevant stakeholders in Maldives to strengthen the democratic framework of the country.

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