Nasheed-PM discuss visa norms, polls

The former Maldivian president says he is happy that he can contest the elections without his candidacy being challenged

Former President of Maldives Mohamed Nasheed on Saturday met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and apprised him of the upcoming election in Maldives that is scheduled for September 7. He also raised the issue of easier visa norms between both countries.

Nasheed said he was “happy that he could contest the elections without his candidacy being challenged,” a statement issued by the ministry of external affairs quoted him as saying. He has been confirmed as a candidate now by the election commission of the Maldives.

During the meeting, Nasheed also said he was “looking forward to the September elections and hoped for a smooth election process.”

Singh stressed that the Presidential elections should be free and fair and hoped for stability and prosperity of the country.

Nasheed, who is on a three-day visit here, have also met external affairs minister Salman Khurshid and finance minister P. Chidambaram. During these meetings, he also raised the visa issue with them for easier movement of Maldivians into India, especially for those who come here for medical treatment. He also urged for greater assistance by India to help develop their construction industry.

India, apparently, tightened the visa-on-arrival provision for Maldivians after the Maldives government last year cancelled Indian infrastructure-giant GMR’s 25-year contract to develop and operate the Male airport on charges of corruption, thereby sparking a diplomatic row. Later, however, Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) of Maldives, gave a clean chit to GMR.

'During the various conversations with senior officials the necessity to ensure understanding among political parties in the post-election phase so as to ensure stability in the Maldives was also an issue of discussion,' the MEA statement said.

In February last year, Maldives got entangled in a bitter internal dispute after Nasheed was ousted from power as part of a well-planned coup.

Earlier in June this year, Maldives’ leader for 30 years till 2008, also visited India to ensure India’s support for him in the elections.