New Delhi: Hassan Saeed, the Maldivian president Waheed's special adviser, is being seen as the Machiavellian force behind Male's decision to terminate the GMR agreement. According to high-level sources, this Malaysia-educated president of a tiny Dhivehi Quamee Party has convinced Waheed to use this issue as a platform for forthcoming presidential elections due next year.
Masood Imad, spokesperson for Waheed, denies this. "Saeed is only a special advisor and is currently not even in the country," he said.
Imad said Indian companies continue to be present and welcomed in the Maldives. "The Maldivian government had offered to send a special envoy of the president, the defence minister, to India to explain our stand on the GMR issue. But that request is still pending with the MEA," he added.
05/12/12 Indrani Bagchi/Times of India
