Ex-Maldives president Gayoom meets PM

Maumoon Abdul Gayoom,who was the president of Maldives for three decades before being ousted in 2008,on Tuesday told Prime Minister Manmohan Singh

Maumoon Abdul Gayoom,who was the president of Maldives for three decades before being ousted in 2008,on Tuesday told Prime Minister Manmohan Singh that democracy in the island nation was his legacy and stressed that democracy should take firm roots in the country.

Gayoom,who is on a three-day visit to India from June 3,met Singh months before Maldives goes to polls in September. There is intense campaigning going on in the island country,with former president Mohamed Nasheed and incumbent President Mohamed Waheed also making a bid at forming government.

Sources privy to the conversation between Singh and Gayoom said that the former president conveyed his appreciation for Indias assistance for the development of Maldives over a long period of time. While discussing issues relating to the current situation in Maldives and the bilateral relations with India,Gayoom told Singh that he looked forward to Indias continued assistance.

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As someone who was instrumental in bringing about democracy to Maldives,former president Gayoom felt it was his legacy and that democracy should take firm roots in the country and there should be understanding amongst all political parties in this regard, an official source said.

Singh,on his part,told Gayoom that India and Maldives have enjoyed a close relationship and it was important that the two countries work together to ensure peace and security in Maldives and the region.