In a setback to India’s strategic influence in Indian Ocean, former Maldivian President Mohammed Nasheed was on Tuesday arrested by police despite reported assurances by them to the Indian High Commission, where he had taken refuge, that he won’t be apprehended.
Nasheed had left the diplomatic premises in Male on 23 February after an envoy dispatched by India to diffuse the political standoff won assurances from Maldivian authorities that he would be free to campaign for presidential elections. The ex-president himself had said there was a ‘fragile’ understanding between India and Maldives government that prompted him to leave the Indian mission.
However, the Maldivian government has repeatedly denied striking any deal with India for enabling Nasheed’s exit from the Indian mission. Ministry of External Affairs had, on 23 February, issued a statement saying, ‘It is hoped that with this development the former president will again resume his social and political life’, but had also maintained that there was no deal between New Delhi and Male.
A warrant had been issued by a court against Nasheed in Maldives in connection with his trial over the arrest and subsequent detention of a judge during his rule. The arrest came less than a fortnight after Nasheed left the Indian High Commission.
Nasheed had left the diplomatic premises in Male on 23 February after an envoy dispatched by India to diffuse the political standoff won assurances from Maldivian authorities that he would be free to campaign for presidential elections. The ex-president himself had said there was a ‘fragile’ understanding between India and Maldives government that prompted him to leave the Indian mission.
However, the Maldivian government has repeatedly denied striking any deal with India for enabling Nasheed’s exit from the Indian mission. Ministry of External Affairs had, on 23 February, issued a statement saying, ‘It is hoped that with this development the former president will again resume his social and political life’, but had also maintained that there was no deal between New Delhi and Male.
A warrant had been issued by a court against Nasheed in Maldives in connection with his trial over the arrest and subsequent detention of a judge during his rule. The arrest came less than a fortnight after Nasheed left the Indian High Commission.