The rapidly deteriorating political situation in neighbouring Maldives has put India on the alert. “We are disturbed by the state of Emergency in the Maldives following the refusal of the government to abide by the unanimous ruling of the full bench of the Supreme Court on February 1 and also the suspension of constitutional rights of the people of Maldives,'' said the Ministry of External Affairs, adding that the government continues to monitor the situation carefully.
“The arrest of the Supreme court chief justice and political figures are also reasons for concern,” it said.
The government had, a day ago, issued an advisory against travel to the island country. It had cautioned against non-essential travels to Male and other atolls until further notice and also alerted the Indian expats in the Maldives to exert alertness and avoid public gatherings.
Meanwhile, the Indian military has put troops on standby. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) is gearing up for a potential short time deployment of troops and activated its Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for any neighbouring country like Maldives. This means that airlift and sealift capabilities are ready to move at short notice.
The Sourthern Naval Command in Kochi, which is the closest to the island nation, is on high alert and readiness. Moreover, if needed, airlift capability that includes C-17 and C-130J Special Operations Aircraft, besides a range of rotary wing options, will also be kept on standby to rescue stranded Indians from the island nation.
A state of Emergency was declared in Maldives after President Abdulla Yameen defied the Supreme Court order to release opposition leaders from jail. The court had quashed charges of terrorism slapped against them. Mohamed Nasheed, the country's first democratically president, who is in exile in London after he was convicted on terrorism charges and sentenced to 13 years in jail, has urged India to take a proactive stand and “send an envoy, backed by its military to release the judges and political detainees.''
Since Nasheed is one of those against whom the apex court quashed charges, he could gain from the turmoil if Yameen is toppled. It could pave way for his return.
Yameen seems to have the support of the military. He has also shown pro-China leanings. India was disturbed late last year when Maldives signed a Free Trade Agreement with China, despite its professed India First foreign policy.
