India for fulfillment of legal process in GMR case

In a clear message to Maldives, India on Friday said it would like to see “fulfillment” of all legal processes and adherence to all relevant contracts and agreements regarding the compensation in the $500-million GMR Male airport project.

Reacting to the verdict of a Singapore court which ruled the Maldives government could take back Male Airport from the private firm, the official spokesperson of the ministry of external affairs, Syed Akbaruddin, said the ministry as well as the Indian High Commission in Male was studying the judgement and their lawyers needed to understand it.

Pointing out that there are two issues in the case--one sovereign right of a nation and other legality of the agreement, which was linked to compensation to GMR and its associates in Malaysia, he said the latter part has not been "affected or responded" in Friday's judgement.

"These issues are not affected with judgement or not responded to...Fulfilment of all legal process and requirement is what we want to see in this case and we hope that all relevant contracts and agreements would be adhered to and all legal process are carried through," he said.

The Singapore Court, which had earlier stayed the termination of the contract by the Maldives, on Friday said the government there has the authority to take back the airport.