Thaindian News

New Delhi, May 10 (IANS) Mohamed Waheed, the new president of Maldives, will be in India on a five-day first ever official visit beginning Friday when he will discuss with the Indian leadership his atoll nation’s future, including possible early elections.

After unexpected turn of events in February this year propelled him to the leadership of his country, Waheed will be in India on the invitation of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and just about a month after his predecessor Mohamed Nasheed was here to drum up support for his call for an early presidential polls in his country.

Nasheed had to resign on Feb 7 this year in the wake of a mutiny by a section of the Maldivian police force, resulting in Waheed, the vice president, being given the reins of the country.

The new president, along with his wife Ilham Hussain and a large delegation, will be in India till May 15.

“This is Dr. Mohamed Waheed’s first visit to India after assuming the office of the president of the Republic of Maldives in February 2012,” an official statement from the Indian ministry of external affairs said.

During his stay in India, the Maldivian president will hold bilateral talks with Manmohan Singh when the two sides will get an opportunity to continue the ongoing dialogue and provide further impetus to the bilateral relationship.

Waheed is also scheduled to visit Mumbai during his stay in India.

Among the members of his delegation will be his Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and former president Maumoon Abdul Gayoom’s daughter Dhunya Maumoon.

Nasheed, who was here ahead of Waheed, had went to town, proclaiming that he was ousted from power in a coup and blaming Gayoom and his supporters for subverting the democratic process that provided him presidency.

He had also warned of Islamic fundamentalists taking over the atoll nation if early elections are not held to put in power another democratically elected government.