India welcomes revocation of emergency in Maldives

India on Thursday welcomed the revocation of emergency in the Maldives but with noted that a number of concerns expressed by the international community still remain to be addressed.

"We welcome the revocation of the State of Emergency in the Maldives.

"While this is one step towards addressing the issues related to the prevailing political situation in that country, a number of concerns expressed by the international community still remain to be addressed," the External Affairs Ministry said in a statement.

"We, therefore, call upon the government of the Maldives to restore all Articles of the Constitution, to allow the Supreme Court and other branches of the judiciary to operate in full independence, to promote and support the free and proper functioning of Parliament, to implement the Supreme Court's full bench order of February 1, 2018, and to support a genuine political dialogue with all opposition parties."

Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen on Thursday lifted the state of emergency after 45 days, inviting fresh criticism that he had used it to boost his own power and illegally arrest hundreds.

The emergency was imposed in February following a Supreme Court ruling that had ordered the retrial and release of nine opposition leaders, including former President and now opposition leader Mohamed Nasheed.

Soon after the imposition of emergency last month, Nasheed, who is living in exile, sought India's intervention to end the crisis in the country.

In its statement, the External Affairs Ministry said that it is important for the Maldives government to ensure "credible restoration of the political process, as well as the rule of law, before the elections are announced this year".

"As a neighbour whose security is closely intertwined with that of the Maldives, India wishes to see a stable, peaceful and prosperous Maldives that meets the aspiration of its citizens," it said.

--IANS

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