'Concerned' India hopes for peaceful transfer of power in Maldives

Expressing concern over the Maldives Supreme Court's ruling that has annulled the results of the first round of elections of September 7, India hopes there will be a peaceful transfer of power by November 11.

The Supreme Court's decision is seen as worsening the ongoing political crisis in Maldives.

Maldivian Democratic Party candidate and former President Mohamed Nasheed stood first with over 45.45 per cent of the popular vote, while Progressive Party of Maldives candidate Abdulla Yaameen was placed a distant second.

According to reports, the court has declared that fresh polls be held before October 20.

Maldives, whose territorial waters encompass a large part of the central Indian Ocean, is seen as crucial to India's maritime and neighbourhood strategy.

External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid had earlier said that India wants a strong democracy in Maldives.

India and Maldives share ethnic, linguistic, cultural, religious and commercial links steeped in antiquity and enjoy close, cordial and multi-dimensional relations. Bilateral relations between the two sides have been nurtured and strengthened by regular contacts at the highest levels.

India and Maldives have consistently supported each other in multilateral fora such as the UN, the Commonwealth, the NAM and the SAARC.