Indian High Commissioner to Maldives transferred to Denmark

The Indian High Commissioner of India to the Maldives Shri Rajeev Shahare has been appointed as the next Ambassador of India to Denmark, the Indian external affairs ministry has said.

He is expected to take up his assignment shortly, the ministry said in a brief statement on August 12.

Shahare replaced D M Mulay in February 2013, at a time when relations between India and Maldives were at an all time low due to the abrupt termination of an airport development contract with Indian infrastructure giant GMR.

With the election of President Abdulla Yameen in November 2013, India eased visa restrictions and lifted a ban on exporting construction material.

The Maldives’ relations with India and the West has come under strain once again with the imprisonment of former President Mohamed Nasheed. Prime Minister Narendra Modi dropped the Maldives from an Indian Ocean tour.

A constitutional amendment in July that allows foreigners to own land in the Maldives for the first time stoked concerns in Delhi with the Maldivian opposition saying the move may allow China to build military bases.

Yameen has assured India that the Maldives will keep the Indian Ocean demilitarized, and insisted foreign freeholds will not adversely affect “friendly relations” with South Asian neighbours.

“The Maldivian government has given assurances to the Indian government and our neighbouring countries as well to keep the Indian Ocean a demilitarised zone,” he said

Since the passing of the amendment, Indian Foreign Secretary Dr. S. Jaishankar visited the Maldives on August 4 and met with the Vice President Ahmed Adeeb and discussed the strengthening of bilateral ties.