A concerned India on Wednesday said it is in touch with Maldivian authorities to resolve the situation arising out of the issuance of arrest warrant against former President Mohamed Nasheed, who has sought refuge in the Indian Mission in Male.
Noting that Nasheed was a candidate for the Presidential elections to be held in September, India said it is necessary that the Presidential nominees of recognised political parties be free to participate in the elections without any hindrance.
"Following the arrest warrant issued against him by the Hulhumale Magistrate Court, Nasheed, who is a candidate for the Presidential elections in Maldives scheduled for September 2013, is in the Indian High Commission and has sought India's assistance.
"We are in touch with the relevant Maldivian authorities to resolve the situation," official spokesperson in the ministry of external affairs said in a statement.
He said as a close and friendly neighbour, India has expressed concern over the ongoing political instability in Maldives and asked the Maldivian government and all political parties to adhere strictly to democratic principles and the rule of law, thereby paving the way for free, fair, credible and inclusive elections.
The spokesperson said that since the elections were to be held on September 7, "it is necessary that the Presidential nominees of recognised political parties be free to participate in the elections without any hindrance".
"Prevention of participation by political leaders in the contest would call into question the integrity of the electoral process, thereby perpetuating the current political instability in Maldives," he said adding that this was not in the interest of Maldives or the region.
"India would call upon the Government and all political parties in Maldives to avoid any actions that would vitiate the political atmosphere in the Maldives," he said.
Nasheed had walked into the Indian High Commission in the afternoon ahead of today's hearing in a Maldivian Court for a case regarding detention of Chief Judge of the Criminal Court Judge Abdulla Mohamed by him in January 2012.
An arrest warrant was issued last night against the former President for not turning up for the previous hearing.
Within minutes Nasheed's entering the Indian Mission, Maldivian police surrounded it.
