India protests attack on Maldives envoy car

The car was attacked on October 28 at around 6.20 pm IST when it was parked in front of the High Commission. The High Commissioner was in the car minutes before the attack.

According to Indian High Commission officials,CCTV footage showed that the culprits “purposefully” approached the Indian flag car,pelted two metallic objects,one of which smashed the rear windshield,and ran away. “Significantly,besides several other bystanders across the road,a policeman witnessed the entire act but did not react,” the Indian High Commission said in a statement.

“It is evident that there was malicious intention to cause damage to the property and perhaps to the occupant of the car. While we forcefully condemn the act,it is also a matter of great concern that such acts impact our otherwise close and robust bilateral ties,” the statement said on Tuesday.

The Indian High Commission hoped the culprits and people behind this “cowardly act” are brought to justice.

The spouse of an Indian High Commission official was attacked in January this year and the case is unsolved.

The High Commission on Tuesday received statements of support from various quarters within Maldives,including from President Mohammed Waheed’s office,former President Mohamed Nasheed,former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom and Presidential candidate,Abdulla Yameen.

The latest incident has taken place at a time India wants Maldives to complete its electoral process by early November. Foreign Secretary Sujatha Singh had visited Male early this month to impress upon the Maldivian political parties about the need to conclude the election process.