India says all can play constructive role to resolve Maldives crisis after reports of Yameen seeking China help
New Delhi, Feb 9 (IBNS): India said all countries can play a constructive in resolving the political crisis in Maldives following a State of Emergency declared by President Yameen and with reports that the island nation has sought support from China to maintain security for Chinese investments.
In response to a query on China's role in Maldives, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Official Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said: "We note that China has said that Maldives Government has the ability to protect the security of Chinese personnel and institutions in Maldives.
"We hope that all countries can play a constructive role in Maldives, instead of doing the opposite," the MEA added.
The Opposition parties in Maldives are seeking an Indian intervention along with the international community to restore democracy, while China in what is seen as a veiled warning to New Delhi indicated that India should stay clear of Maldives' 'internal problems'.
The government of President Yameen refused to implement the Supreme Court ruling and instead clamped a 15-day state emergency and cracked down on the apex court itself, even as protests rocked capital Male.
India, the US and the United Nations have asked Yameen to end the state of emergency.
Yameen cracked down on the Supreme Court suspending its powers and arresting judges.
Present President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom representing Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) is half brother of former president Maumoon Abdul Gayoom who had ruled the Islamic island nation from 1978 to 2008 uninterruptedly.
Gayoom was defeated in the October 2008 presidential election but in September 2011, he returned as the leader of the newly formed Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM).
Yameen was elected as President in 2013, defeating Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) leader and former president Mohamed Nasheed in the 2013 elections.
In 2016, Nasheed was given asylum in the United Kingdom after he was convicted under the Anti-Terrorism Act of Maldives for arresting Criminal Court Judge Abdulla Mohamed though international rights group like Amnesty International has described the conviction as "politically motivated".
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