Former President of 30 years, Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, met Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Tuesday.
“His visit to Delhi is part of India’s outreach to all sections of Maldivian polity. It may be recollected that former President, Nasheed, has visited India twice and President Waheed was in India in May last year,” said Indian government sources, according to the Times of India (TOI).
“He discussed issues relating to the current situation in Maldives and bilateral relations with India. He said that he looked forward to India’s continued assistance,” an official told TOI.
“As someone who was instrumental in bringing about democracy to the Maldives, former President Gayoom felt that it was his legacy and that democracy should take firm roots in Maldives and there should be understanding amongst all political parties in this regard,” the official added.
Sacked Home Minister Dr Mohamed Jameel, who was one of the main opponents of Indian infrastructure giant GMR’s development of Ibrahim Nasir International Airport (INIA), was recently announced the running mate of Gayoom’s Progressive Party of the Maldives (PPM).
