Leaked letter: GMR requests for Indian government intervention regarding airport issue

A leaked letter has exposed GMR’s request from the government of India, to intervene to solve the problems arising due to pressure from the Maldivian government’s coalition parties in relation to GMR’s management of Male’ International Airport.

GMR has since claimed that the letter bears no authencity, as it was not signed by the concerned Authority and was not on the Company Letterhead.

The letter was dated 4 April 2012, from the Chairman of GMR G.M. Rao, addressed to Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh.

The letter states that management of Male’ International Airport was awarded to GMR through a fair bidding process, and that GMR is now being pressured by parties included in the new government, who earlier opposed the award of the airport to GMR.

“These parties are systematically creating a bad impression against India and also on the award of airport concession, through a series of media statements.”

The letter mentions several individuals who GMR accuse of undermining the concession agreement; namely Special Advisor to the President Dr Hassan Saeed, Home Minister Dr Mohamed Jameel Ahmed, former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, his brother Abdullah Yameen, Attorney General Aishath Azima Shakoor, Tourism Minister Ahmed Adheeb, and Transport Minister Dr Ahmed Shamheed.

“It is also understood that Dr Hassan Saeed in particular, is instigating the ministers and government officials to create pressure on GMR-MAHB.”

The letter notes that GMR’s investment in Male’ International Airport is one of the largest investments by an Indian Company in the SAARC region, and requests the Indian government to ensure that the Maldivian government respects the agreement made with GMR.

GMR’s Male’ Airport CEO Andrew Harrison, when contacted about this letter, refused to comment citing that he had not received any information regarding this letter.

DRP Leader Ahmed Thasmeen Ali recently met with the Prime Minister of India Manmohan Singh as part of his current visit to India. In an interview given after this meeting, Thasmeen called for the protection of foreign investors in Maldives.