For his coup SoS, Maldives prez was asked for ‘note’ -Governance Now

For his coup SoS, Maldives prez was asked for ‘note’

Indian envoy asked for a request in writing when the nation was asked to intervene during a coup in Maldives

Rohan Ramesh | April 20, 2012

According to reports in certain sections of the media, Indian high commissioner in Male, Dhyaneshwar Mule asked the Maldivian government to provide a ‘note’ when requested for help to deal with coup that was underway in the archipelago.
Quoting former Maldives president Mohammed Nasheed, the reports contradict the Indian version which claims Mule had asked Nasheed if he needed help and that the leader replied in the negative.

According to former foreign secretary Shashank, India was trying to cultivate the best of relations with Maldives. Saying that ambassadors should know and do better, Shashank says “Ambassadors are they eyes and ears of the government abroad.” Adding that despite the fact that he did not know the details, the allegation made by the Maldivian president was “most unfortunate”.

Nasheed told reporters that transfer of power in the Maldives was the first "televised coup" and Mule had "caught the wrong end of the stick". Nasheed added that “he knew a coup when he saw one”.

India was caught on the wrong foot when the coup was staged just weeks after prime minister Manmohan Singh attended a high-profile meeting of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) along with other influential leaders.

Reports say the coup happened because of Nasheed’s actions against a judge and before that placing the Maldives parliament deputy speaker under house arrest.

Nasheed is in India to meet a whole spectrum of political leaders, including prime minister Manmohan Singh.

It must be recalled that in 1987, India had averted a coup in Maldives which was being ruled by Abdul Gayoom then. India landed paratroopers in Male under orders from then prime minister Rajiv Gandhi and took control of the nation in a few hours before handing the reigns back to Gayoom.

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