India on Thursday expressed confidence that the mandate of the people would prevail in the Maldives where pro-China President Abdulla Yameen suffered a humiliating defeat in the presidential elections held last month.
“This election marks not only the triumph of democratic forces in the Maldives, but also reflects the firm commitment to the values of democracy and the rule of law,” External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said at a media briefing.
India, he said, has consistently held the position since the imposition of emergency early this year, that there was a need to protect the democracy in the Maldives and preserve the mandate of the people.
The spokesperson pointed out that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had recently spoken to Maldives President-elect Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and offered his personal congratulations.
Other world leaders have also welcomed the successful conduct of the election. In keeping with India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ Policy, India looked forward to working closely with the Maldives in further deepening the bilateral partnership, the spokesperson added.
Asked if PM Modi would attend Solih’s swearing-in ceremony, he said a verbal invitation had been extended to the Indian leader by Solih for the ceremony to be held in mid-November.
The two countries were in close touch.