Maldives ex-President Nasheed remains in Indian mission for seventh day

Male/New Delhi: With less than 24 hours left for Mohamed Nasheed to be produced by police before a Court in Male, India today said it would be the "happiest" if the situation arising out of ex-Maldives President taking refuge in its Mission for the seventh day in a row is resolved. Nasheed, who is holed up in the Indian High Commission to evade an arrest warrant, is scheduled to be presented before the Court by the local police at 4.00 pm on Wednesday.

Speaking to reporters in New Delhi, External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid, who has in the recent past spoken to his Maldivian counterpart a couple of times, said Maldives is a very close friend of India. "There is unusual stress caused by local conditions. We just wish them the best... I would certainly endorse any method and any means by which the present situation can be resolved," he said.

The Minister added: "I think it is actually not a matter that gives any sense of satisfaction and if it gets resolved, we will be the happiest". As part of the ongoing consultations, the Indian High Commissioner DM Mulay has in last few days met Thasmeen Ali, leader of the Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP).

Nasheed is scheduled to be presented before the court by the local police at 4.00 pm on Wednesday.

The DRP is now the second largest party in Maldives with 22,687 members and a key constituent of the coalition government headed by President Mohamed Waheed. Mulay also met prospective Presidential candidate of Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) Abdullah Yameen. PPM, the party belonging to former Maldivian ruler Maumoon Gayoom, has the third largest membership.

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