Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to satate :-

(a) whether it is a fact that former President of Maldives has taken refuge in the Indian Embassy at Male;

(b) if so, the position of Government of India in granting asylum to the former president of Maldives; and

(c) the policy of Government for granting political asylum in such cases?

ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRI E. AHAMED)

(a) Following an arrest warrant issued against him by the Hulhumale Magistrate Court, the former President of Maldives, Mr. Mohamed Nasheed, came to the High Commission of India, Male on 13 February 2013 and sought India’s assistance. Mr. Nasheed did not seek ‘political asylum’. He left the Indian High Commission in Male on his own volition on 23 February 2013.

(b) & (c) Does not arise.
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