Colombo: The largest Indian private investment in South Asia, the $700-million GMR-operated Ibrahim Nasir International Airport in Male, is in the middle of an ugly bickering between political parties in the Maldives.
Even as arbitration is under way over a few issues between GMR and Maldivian government, Adhaalath Party — a political party in the new ruling coalition — has given a November 15 deadline to take back the airport from GMR. It has also threatened an agitation at the airport on Monday. At least two other coalition partners are also against allowing GMR to operate the airport.
Earlier, at a rally on November 9 organised by the Adhaalath party, a senior staffer in the Maldivian President’s office questioned the integrity of the Indian High Commissioner in Male, Dnyaneshwar Mulay.
Spokesperson of the President’s Office Abbas Adil Riza, speaking at the rally, accused the High Commissioner of catering to the interests of a private entity and declared that such diplomats should not be stationed in the country.
11/11/12 RK Radhakrishnan/The Hindu
