Diplomatic row erupts between India, Maldives

India and Maldives were involved in a diplomatic row over intemperate remarks made against the Indian High Commissioner by the spokesperson to the Maldivian President which was described by the envoy as against diplomatic protocol.

In a damage-control exercise later, a statement posted on the official website of Maldivian President Mohamed Waheed said the government of Maldives disassociates itself from the remarks made by Abbas Adil Riza and some other government officials, saying they did not reflect the views of the government.

The remarks were made by Adil Riza at a rally where he called Dnyaneshwar Mulay a "traitor" and "an enemy of Maldives".

The rally was organised by the "23rd December alliance" on Friday night to protest against the leasing of Ibrahim Nasir International Airport to Indian infrastructure major GMR by the government of former President Mohamed Nasheed. The alliance was born out of opposition by some parties to Nasheed.

"A diplomat's job is to work for his country and people and not to protect the interests of one private company...He is a traitor and enemy of Maldives and Maldivian people. We don't want these kind of diplomats on our soil." Riza, a political appointee, said striking an aggressive posture.

In a statement, the Indian High Commission said High Commissioner Mulay has condemned the remarks of the spokesperson to President Waheed, asserting it was "against diplomatic protocol".

Mulay also said that the government of Maldives has been told that settling issues of huge mutual interest cannot be done on public space or on stage.

Noting that the new Government in Maldives has raised some issues particularly in respect of GMR, the High Commission said they can be addressed through negotiations and if talks fail this country could go ahead with arbitration.