India welcomes Maldives decision to allow Mohamed Nasheed to travel to UK

NEW DELHI: India has welcomed Maldives decision to allow jailed former president Mohamed Nasheed to travel to the UK for treatment.

"Welcome decision by government of Maldives to give permission to former President Nasheed to travel to UK for treatment," External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Vikas Swarup tweeted.

Nasheed, convicted of ordering the military to arrest a senior judge when he was in power in 2012, had sought permission to go abroad for a surgery on his back and left earlier this week for the UK.

His trial and subsequent conviction had got widespread international criticism.