External affairs minister Salman Khurshid yesterday spoke to his Maldivian counterpart Abdul Samad Abdullah and discussed ways to resolve the standoff in the island nation.
“He (Abdullah) explained the concern and the worries about the situation; he understands the position we have had to take. Clearly there is a situation. Both of us are trying our best to find resolution. But it is not just two of us, there is also Nahseed (Mohamed Nasheed),” Khurshid told reporters on board special aircraft while returning to Delhi after a two day visit to Bangladesh.
Observing that there was no clarity on the evolving situation in Maldives; Khurshid made it clear that India should not become party to the happening in the island nation.
“With Nasheed being in our mission and his supporters in the streets, we have to ensure that our mission does not become a party to the happening in Maldives and our mission is not used for political activities,” he said.
Replying to a question, the Union minister said, “We have explained that we would not like to get involved. We are only extending the normal courtesies given to former heads of states, like allowing visits by his (Nasheed’s) family members or party colleagues, but this too obviously cannot go on indefinitely.”
“The problem needs to be resolved one way or the other and both of us (the two governments) are trying to find ways to resolve it.”