No coup in Maldives, says India

The transfer of power in the Maldives was not a coup, India believes even as New Delhi sent a special envoy to the troubledIndian Ocean nation to assess the situation and help work out a way forward. Prime MinisterManmohan Singh said it was his sincere hope that the matter can be resolved through peaceful dialogue. "It will be our effort to use our influence in that direction," he said.

Defending its decision to recognize the new leadership in the Maldives, sources said on Friday that on February 6, former president Mohamed Nasheed had spoken at length to the Indian High Commissioner to the Maldives, Dyaneshwar Mulay, on the growing political crisis that had got quite acute by then. Nasheed had called the Indian envoy an hour before resigning to tell him of his intention to do so. "He did not give any impression that he was resigning under duress," said sources. That helped the Indian government to recognize the new president. But 24 hours later, Nasheed had changed his story - he said he was made to resign almost at gunpoint. Indian officials refused to speculate what that might mean. But Indian officials clarified that India had not been asked to provide military assistance.

Why did Nasheed change his story? "We assume there were political motives," officials said. But they added that Nasheed had been very close to India, just as Gayoom before him.

India has unleashed a diplomatic offensive to ease the crisis there and insulate the Maldives from harsh international scrutiny. The nation is crucial for India, and New Delhi does not want Male to be the scene for confused and misguided international meddling. Foreign secretary Ranjan Mathai briefed the US government in Washington this week as events unfolded in the Maldives. He also informed the British government about India's assessment and approach to resolving the issue.

In New Delhi, Harsh Singla, joint secretary at the MEA, met representatives from all the P-5 countries and the Sri Lankan High Commissioner about the prevalent situation in the Maldives.

India has even prepared contingency plans about evacuating tourists and other foreigners from the Maldives, should things worsen. This was one of the main concerns from a lot of western countries, said sources, who all had tourists in the Maldives. India has 30,000 citizens working and living there.

In repeated conversations with the new president Dr Mohamed Waheed Hassan, Indian officials say he has committed to upholding the constitution, rebuilding the country and move towards fresh elections. Nasheed has demanded instant polls, but both India and the new Maldives president Mohamed Waheed is clear that peace and stability will have to take precedence. Nasheed told his supporters in Male on Friday, ``He (Hassan) must step down and then the Speaker of the Majlis (Parliament) can hold elections within two months," he said.

India was the first country to recognize the new government. This has been followed by the US, the UK and even the UN. But India has told Waheed that he should expedite the moves to a national unity government or a government with the widest coalition possible. "Stability is crucial in a country which relies on tourism as its main source of revenue," they said.

Government sources reiterated the official Indian line that this was a matter for Maldivians to resolve themselves. India had intervened in 1988, when Sri Lankan terrorists had mounted a coup. But the situation is very different this time. As concerns mounted over Nasheed's impending fate and a possible arrest, UN assistant secretary general Oscar Fernandez-Taranco arrived here for talks with the new government.

Regarding former president safety, official sources said they believed Nasheed was safe. His safety was assured by Waheed in his conversation with Indian officials. Waheed had told the Indian government he would not engage in a "witch-hunt". On Thursday, Mulay met Nasheed twice. On both occasions, Nasheed was offered "all assistance" which sources said included everything from medical aid to evacuation. But, he reportedly refused. "We're there to assist in any way possible. We're ready to respond to any eventuality," said official sources.