Hyderabad: While this is an issue that is still in the realm of speculation, GMR does not rule out the possibility. It is being speculated that there is greater Chinese interest in taking over the project to develop and modernise the Ibrahim Nasir International Airport (INIA) in Maldives.
While the interest is said to be strategic than commercial, there has neither been any denial nor confirmation on the issue.
However, GMR officials have not ruled out the possibility of having more than what meets the eye in the tussle between the group and the Maldivian government.
"I can't say that (the issue of foreign hand) for sure. But, looking at the political situation and political framework in Maldives, I can't rule out anything,\" Sidharth Kapur, GMR’s chief financial officer, said.
The group, which has been working on developing the Male airport through its arm GMR Male International Airport Ltd (GMIAL), has been terminated from being the developer of the airport by the Maldives government despite a Singapore court granting an injunction on any such move.
06/12/12 KV Ramana/Daily News & Analysis
