Have not discussed GMR issue with Indian government: Economic Minister

Minister of Economic Development Ahmed Mohamed has said that no discussions have taken place between the Indian government and the current Maldivian ministerial delegation visiting India, in relation to GMR Group.

Ahmed Mohamed said in an interview with Sun Online today that the purpose of this visit to India is to resolve the difficulties being faced by Maldivian vessels entering Indian harbours.

He said that India’s Civil Aviation Minister asked the Maldivian government to consider ways to resolve issues related to GMR at a meeting held yesterday, but the issue was not discussed any further.

He said that no such discussions are planned during this trip.

The Economic Minister went on to say that the discussions with the Civil Aviation Minister were focused on increasing the operation of flights between India and Maldives, and Maldivian’s plan to start operating to India.

The Maldivian delegation currently in India is made up of, in addition to Ahmed Mohamed, Transport Minister Dr Ahmed Shamheed and Minister of State for Transport Captain Abdul Latheef.

India’s Economic Times reported earlier that the India’s Civil Aviation Minister Ajit Singh asked the Transport and Communication Minister Ahmed Shamheed during a meeting, to consider ways to resolve the problems faced by GMR Group.

Meanwhile, a letter by was leaked some weeks ago, in which GMR’s Chairman G.M. Rao had requested the Indian Prime Minister to intervene with resolving the GMR issue. DRP Leader Ahmed Thasmeen Ali also visited India, on India’s invitation, about the same time as the letter was leaked.