Will restore GMR deal if I return to power: Maldives ex-President Nasheed

Male: Former Maldivian President Mohammed Nasheed spoke to CNN-IBN in his first interview to an Indian TV channel. Speaking to CNN-IBN he said that he will restore the GMR deal with Maldives Airport if he comes to power. "We will restore the deal and will do it in a transparent way," he said.

He also hinted that a stable Maldives is in India's interest. "There is no love for India by the Maldives government here. I think it's in India's own interest that there is political stability in Maldives. And if that doesn't happen then there is always room for other countries," he said.

Nasheed stepped out of the Indian High Commission in Male on Saturday, where he took refuge on February 13 after police attempted to arrest him. A court in Maldives had ordered Nasheed's arrest after he missed a February 10 court appearance in a case relating to accusations that he illegally detained a judge during the last days of his rule, police spokesman Hassan Haneef said.

Mohammed Nasheed also hinted that a stable Maldives is in India\'s interest.

Nasheed, Maldives's first democratically elected leader, was removed from office a year ago in contested circumstances and his supporters have frequently clashed with security forces in the Indian Ocean archipelago, famous as a luxury tourist resort.

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