India monitoring situation in the Maldives: Defence minister

The government has been closely monitoring the evolving situation in the Maldives and keeping a constant watch on all developments having a bearing on India's security, according to Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.

In a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha, she said the government will take all necessary measures to safeguard India's interests.

She was asked whether the government has any proposal to launch an immediate naval operation in theMaldives to counter Chinese interference in the island nation.

Ties between India and the Maldives nosedived after Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen declared emergency on February 5 following an order by the country's Supreme Court to release a group of opposition leaders, who had been convicted in widely criticised trials.

The emergency was lifted 45 days later.

China has been trying to expand its influence over the Maldives and it had appeared to be supportive of President Yameen's decision to clamp emergency.

To a separate question, Sitharaman said admission of girl children has been approved in Chhingchhip Sainik school in Mizoram from academic session 2018-19 on a pilot basis.

At present, 26 Sainik schools are operating in 22 states where only boys are given admission.