Sushma Swaraj briefed on situation in Maldives

Maldivian foreign minister Dunya Maumoon on Saturday apprised external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj on the circumstances leading to the imposition of Emergency in the island nation earlier this month and the prevailing political situation.

After her extensive talks with Ms Swaraj, Ms Maumoon, who arrived here on Saturday on a two-day visit, said she came here to apprise India about the Emergency and the developments leading to it. Both Ms Swaraj and Ms Maumoon also deliberated on a range of other issues of mutual interest.

“I came largely to personally apprise about the emergency and other developments leading to the Emergency,” she said.

Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen had on November 4 imposed Emergency in the country for 30 days, citing threat to national security and gave sweeping powers to security forces.

However, the Emergency was lifted on November 10, a week after its imposition after requests from many countries, including the United States, Sri Lanka and the Commonwealth nations.

Ms Dunya Maumoon’s visit here comes nearly a month after Ms Swaraj’s trip to Male, during which she co-chaired a joint commission meeting.