What Did the Maldives Give India for Solving the Visa Problem? Asks Former High Commissioner Andey

The former Maldivian High Commissioner to India, Ahmed "Andey" Mohamed, had asked what the Maldivian government had done for the government of India in exchange for a solution to the problem of getting visas for Maldivian nationals.

Andey had said this in response to Minister of Foreign Affairs, Abdulla Shahid's statement that the difficulties with securing a visa would be solved.

Andey, who had also previously served as the Economic Minister, claimed that difficulties with securing an Indian visa for Maldivian nationals often arose whenever India was unhappy with the Maldives. Andey asked what the government had done for India to secure a leniency in the visa procedures.

Difficulties with getting travel visas have arisen periodically in the past, and it has often coincided with periods of tension between the Maldives and India. Recently, during the Yameen administration, visa difficulties arose when the Maldivian government had requested India to withdraw their military personnel from the country.

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Abdulla Shahid, had said last night that he was aware of the difficulties people faced in acquiring an Indian visa, and that discussions were underway to bring about a quick solution.

The Indian High Commission announced today that starting October 15, Maldivian nationals would be permitted to travel to India without a visa.