Ministry of External Affairs of India has issued a statement regarding Maldives. The statement says that the government of India expects Maldives not to extend the state of emergency which will expire today so that Maldives will return to normalcy.

“The order issued by the Supreme Court of Maldives on 1 February 2018 should be implemented in letter and spirit. “

Statement:

The State of Emergency declared in Maldives on 5 February 2018 comes to an end this evening. It is our expectation that the Government of Maldives will not be seeking extension of the State of Emergency so that the political process in Maldives can resume with immediate effect.

After the revocation of the Emergency, democratic institutions including the judiciary should be allowed to function independently and in a fair and transparent manner in accordance with the Constitution. The order issued by the Supreme Court of Maldives on 1 February 2018 should be implemented in letter and spirit.

It is important that Maldives quickly returns to the path of democracy and the rule of law so that the aspirations of Maldivian people are met and the concerns of the international community are assuaged.

New Delhi
February 20, 2018