Former Maldives President Mohamed Nasheed, who is living in exile, urged India to use its military to end the political crisis in the Island nation. State of Emergency (SOE) was declared in Maldives for 15 days, starting Feb. 5 night, after President Yameen Abdul Gayoom said that the Supreme Court was in defiance of the constitution for ordering for release of political prisoners and lawmakers.
Despite the declaration of the SOE, there will be no enforcement of a curfew and general movements, services and businesses will not be affected, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Maldives. The SOE doesn’t force any restrictions on travelling to or within the Maldives. All International and domestic airports, tourist resorts, hotels, guest houses, safari boats, marinas etc. are in full operation. International and domestic flights, seaplanes and all modes of transport are in operation, the Maldives government said on Feb. 6.
The SOE could affect tourism in the Island nation but the government would want to make sure that all transport services, hotels, etc. operate without interruption as tourism contributes 33 per cent to Maldives’ GDP.
On behalf of Maldivian people we humbly request:
1. India to send envoy, backed by its military, to release judges & pol. detainees inc. Prez. Gayoom. We request a physical presence.
2. The US to stop all financial transactions of Maldives regime leaders going through US banks.— Mohamed Nasheed (@MohamedNasheed) February 6, 2018
India and other nations have, meanwhile, issued an advisory warning to its citizens to defer all non-essential travel to the Maldives. At least 83,019 Indians traveled to Maldives between in 2017, an increase of 24 per cent in 2016.
“The prevailing political developments in Maldives and the resultant law and order situation are a matter of concern for the government of India,” a statement issued by the foreign ministry said.
“Indian nationals are, therefore, advised to defer all non-essential travels to Male and other atolls until further notice. Indian expatriates in Maldives are also alerted to the need for heightened security awareness, and urged to exercise due caution in public and avoid public gatherings,” it added.
According to the Indian Ministry of External Affairs, about 25,000 Indian nationals and 108 Persons of Indians Origin (PIOs) live in Maldives.
Maldives President Yameen Abdul Gayoom
The emergency situation will also affect India as a large number of Maldivians come to the country for educational purposes and advanced medical treatments at hospitals in Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Maldives also imports items, including essential commodities, that are restricted to other countries.
India and Maldives have been at loggerheads recently after the Island nation snubbed India by suspending three councilors belonging to the main opposition party MDP for meeting India’s ambassador to Maldives, Akhilesh Mishra. The restrictions on meeting officials of other countries took place after Gayoom visited China and signed a Free Trade Agreement with Beijing.