India supports President Waheed's Road map.

India has expressed its support to the Road map announced by the President Mohamed Waheed to settle the claims and demands of former President Mohamed Nasheed. President Nasheed who was elected to office in November 2008 in the first multi-party contested election resigned on 7 February 2012 following a three week long protest against his government. Vice President Dr. Waheed was sworn in as the new president few hours later on the same day.

Indian Government's statement came following former President Nasheed's visit to India this week.  Indian official spokesperson said India hopes that engagement with all stakeholders in the Maldives will facilitate a constructive dialogue among all political parties and help in bringing stability to the country in line with the Road map of 16 February drawn up by President Waheed.

The spokesperson said the former President Mohamed Nasheed has during his visit to India interacted with businesses, media, civil society and others in the country. Former President  paid a call on Prime Minister and met the National Security Adviser and Foreign Secretary.

The spokesperson referred to the visit to India of Maldives Foreign Minister Dr. Abdul Samad Abdulla

From 1-4 April at the invitation of his Indian counterpart and held discussions with the Ministry of External Affairs. Maldives Defence Minister Mohamed Nazim had also visited India from 27-30 March 2012 to attend DEFEXPO 2012. The Defence Minister called on Raksha Mantri and had discussions on Indo-Maldives defence cooperation, the spokesperson has said.

Former President Nasheed has accused he was forced to resign in a military backed coup in just 24 hours after he announced his resignation telecast live. Nasheed has called on President Waheed to step down and hold early elections.  President Waheed has set up an independent commission to investigate the claims of the former President and has initiated a Roadmap towards settling the dispute and discuss an election.

The protests which led to the fall of Nasheed's government were ignited by the arrest of Chief Judge of Criminal Court Abdulla Mohamed on 16 January without warrant. Nasheed and his MDP party has since been condemning President Waheed and his government as  being illegal, and continue to demand early elections saying they have overwhelming support of the people. But Waheed government's coalition parties won the bi-elections for 2 Majlis seats a week ago.