Nahseed who had taken shelter in the premises of the Indian High Commission in Male on February 13 on being issued with an arrest warrant by a Maldivian court, left the premises after 11-day stay.

The Former Maldivian President is a candidate for Presidential elections in Maldives scheduled for September 2013. He had stepped down as President in February 2012 after series of protests following the judge’s arrest. He, however, claimed that he was removed by a military coup.

The Indian Minister of External Affairs Salman Khurshid has conveyed to his Maldivian counterpart that India has traditional and age old ties of friendship and cooperation with Maldives.

“India would be happy to support all efforts to create favourable conditions for free, fair, credible and inclusive Presidential elections in September 2013 that can contribute to durable peace, stability and prosperity in Maldives and the region,” he said.

The arrest warrant was issued against Nasheed by the court after he failed to turn up for the scheduled trial hearing at Hulhumale magistrate court on February 10 in the case regarding detention of Chief Judge of the Criminal Court Judge Abdulla Mohamed in January 2012.

The former President was on a visit to India after being granted permission to depart the country by the court.
Despite his permitted travel period expiring on February 9, Nasheed returned to Male on February 11.

“Mr. Mohamed Nasheed, former President of Maldives, had left the premises of the High Commission of India, Male at 1615 hrs (IST) today. It will be recalled that the former President had entered the Indian Mission in Male on 13 February 2013 on his own volition and had similarly decided to leave on his own. It is hoped that with this development the former President will again resume his social and political life,” Official Spokesperson of the Indian External Affairs Ministry, Syed Akbaruddin said.

The Indian delegation led by the Joint Secretary in the Indian Ministry of External Affairs, Harsh Vardhan Shringla and the High Commissioner of India to Maldives DM Mulay had held a series of meeting with the officials of the Maldivian Government and other stake holders in this context.

“India has been working closely with the Government and other relevant stakeholders in Maldives to strengthen the democratic framework of the country. India has maintained broad based contacts with all political parties and democratic institutions in Maldives without interfering in its internal affairs. The Government of India urges all parties to maintain peace and calm and hopes to continue its positive engagement in the spirit of the close and friendly relations between the two countries, “ Akbaruddin said and added : .”the Government of India wishes to thank all those who have cooperated in these efforts.”