Foreign Secretary visits Maldives to increase India

The Indian High Commission in Maldives said today that the Foreign Secretary of India Ranjan Mathai is in Maldives to increase India’s engagement in the political process in the country.

In a statement released by the Indian High Commission today, they said that Mathai consulted all parties individually and collectively, and that all parties are of the view that India has played a useful role in the current political process in the Maldives.

The statement also said that all political parties had agreed on continued dialogue, possible amendment of the Constitution and institutional reform.

All parties had also agreed on the importance of undertaking the necessary amendments to the Constitution and legislation within a quick timeframe. In addition, all parties recognized the need for early elections; all major political parties are to continue talks in this regard with the supervision of the All Party Consultative Committee.

The statement also said that President Dr Mohamed Waheed Hassan Manik thanked India for its assistance. He also said that considerable progress had been achieved in the reconciliation process.

The statement said that it was agreed in the meeting that India will continue its role as a facilitator in this process.