In the last few days, the political crisis in Maldives has worsened with president Abdulla Yameen declaring a state of emergency in the country for 15 days.
According to reports, Maldives former president Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, chief justice of Supreme Court Abdulla Saeed and another judge Ali Hameed have been arrested.
The political crisis was triggered after the Supreme Court of Maldives ordered the government to release former president Mohamed Nasheed and eight other opposition leaders, a ruling that President Abdulla Yameen refused to obey.
Anticipating a court order to impeach or arrest President Yameen, the Maldivian army has been asked to resist any such attempt.
India has asked the “Government of Maldives to respect and abide by the order of the apex court” and said it “wishes to see a stable, peaceful and prosperous Maldives”.
Last night, the Ministry of External Affairs advised citizens to “defer all non-essential travels” to Male, the capital of Maldives, and other atolls in the tiny island nation. India said that the “prevailing political developments in Maldives and the resultant law and order situation is a matter of concern”.
As India closely monitors the situation in Maldives, nearly 30 years ago, it was the Indian government which solved the political crisis in the island nation and successfully foiled a coup to overthrow the then Maldives president Maumoon Abdul Gayoom.
