By IANS,
New Delhi: India Friday hoped for free and fair presidential elections in the Maldives next month and said the transition should be a smooth affair with “no reprisals”.
This was conveyed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to a six-member Maldivian delegation that met him here, said official sources.
The Maldivian delegation was led by Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom, leader of the parliamentary group of the Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM).
Yamin Abdul Gayoom is former president Abdul Gayoom’s half-brother and presidential candidate of his PPM party for the Sep 7 poll.
“The prime minister said that India was engaged with various Maldivian political parties. He hoped for free and fair elections in September and expressed the desire that there will be a smooth transition,” the source said.
“He also emphasized on the need to ensure understanding among all that the outcome of the elections is recognized by all and there are no reprisals,” the source quoted the prime minister as saying.
Yameen Abdul Gayoom agreed with this. He conveyed his thanks for the traditional Indian support for Maldives and expressed the desire that these unique bonds should continue to grow and prosper.
The PPM leader also invited Indian investment to contribute to Maldives’ growth and said he would contribute in creating a conducive atmosphere, the source added.
“He also thanked the prime minister for India always being there when Maldives needed it,” the source said.
Other members of the team included Dunya Maumoon, minister of state for foreign affairs, Ahmed Adheeb Abdul Gafoor, vice president of PPM, minister of tourism, arts and culture and Moosa Zameer, member of parliament.
The visit of Yameen Abdul Gayoom comes within days of that of former Maldivian president Mohamed Nasheed who too had called on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
Nasheed was forced out of power in February 2012 and his Vice President Mohammed Waheed became the president.
Nasheed has filed his nomination for the poll as candidate of the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), the largest political party in Maldives.
India has been reaching out to all political parties to ensure that the elections are free and fair.