India issues travel advisory for Maldives

New Delhi: Following the declaration of an emergency by beleaguered Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen  following his refusal to comply with a Supreme Court order there to release political prisoners, India said later on Monday evening that “the prevailing political developments in Maldives and the resultant law and order situation is a matter of concern” and promptly issued a travel advisory for all Indian nationals “to defer all non-essential travels to Male and other atolls until further notice”.

New Delhi also asked all Indian nationals there “to exercise due caution in public and avoid public gatherings” and alerted them on the “need for heightened security awareness”.

Government sources said New Delhi was “monitoring the situation closely”.

The Maldives, with its exotic beaches, is a popular tourist destination for tourists globally including Indian tourists.

In a late-evening reaction, the ministry of external affairs (MEA) said, “The prevailing political developments in Maldives and the resultant law and order situation is a matter of concern for the Government of India.  Indian nationals are, therefore, advised to defer all non-essential travels to Male and other atolls until further notice.  Indian expatriates in Maldives are also alerted to the need for heightened security awareness, and urged to exercise due caution in public and avoid public gatherings.”

Just last week, in a clear political message to tiny maritime neighbour the Maldives, India on Friday had said that the Maldivian government must “respect and abide” by Thursday night’s order of the Supreme Court of Maldives on “release of all political prisoners” there.