Former Maldives president Maumoon Abdul Gayoom is on a three-day visit to India, officials said here Tuesday.
Gayoom met Prime Minister Minister Manmohan Singh and is scheduled to meet External Affairs Minister Salman Khursheed.
His visit to Delhi is part of India's outreach to all sections of Maldivian polity.
Gayoom conveyed his appreciation for India's assistance for development of the Maldives over a long period of time. He discussed issues relating to the current situation in Maldives and India-Maldives bilateral relations and said that he looked forward to India's continued assistance, official sources said Tuesday.
The sources said the prime minister told Gayoom that India and Maldives have enjoyed a special and close relationship and it was important that the two countries work together to ensure peace and security in Maldives and the region.
Th prime minister also said that India is looking forward to free, fair, credible and inclusive elections in Maldives and would be willing to assist in this process.
