On 12th August in Maldives, the Indian Prime Minister in a conference called for greater democracy and restoration of an independent judiciary in Maldives ahead of a presidential election in the upcoming month of September. Stating that the current state of Maldives “ has been a matter of considerable international concern”. the nation has been in a state of tension and turmoil recently with President Abdulla Yameen jailing or forcing into exile all his main opponents. The election is scheduled for 23rd September but the opposition has expressed fears that it could be delayed.
“We hope that Maldives government will ensure early resumption of the political process and allow democratic institutions, including the judiciary to function independently in a fair and transparent manner,” said Narendra Modi.
Earlier, in the month of February Yameen had declared a state of Emergency after the declaration of the apex court in the nation to release all the people who had been ‘sacked by the President’. Upon this order, the CJ of the court was arrested along with the current President’s half-brother.
Relations between the two countries of Maldives and India has also become strained with the current political scenario in the former country. The bond has especially deteriorated because Maldives has sided with China over the year thus straining its tourism relations with India. However, the PM has conveyed his optimism of making relations better,
“We hope that (the) Maldives government will ensure early resumption of the political process and allow democratic institutions including the judiciary to function independently in a fair and transparent manner.”
The EU and the United States have expressed their concern about the current state of affairs and the crackdown happening in the state of Maldives. While addressing the situation of Maldives and China, the PM stated that,
“It is quite natural for China or any other country to have its own relationships with others, including our neighbours.”