Maldivian President Waheed meets Manmohan, Krishna

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Mohamed Waheed, the new president of the Maldives, on Saturday met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh here in his first-ever visit to India.

The two leaders are said to have discussed the situation in the Maldives including possible early elections to end unrest that followed the controversial ouster of his predecessor Mohamed Nasheed in February.

Waheed is in India just three weeks after his political rival and predecessor Nasheed came to New Delhi to drum up support for his call for early presidential polls in the Maldives.

Waheed is on a five-day visit of India at the invitation of Manmohan Singh. He is accompanied by his wife Ilham Hussain and a large delegation. They will be in India till May 15.

Nasheed resigned Feb 7 this year in the wake of a mutiny by a section of the Maldivian police force, resulting in Waheed, the vice-president, being given the reins of the country.

Earlier Saturday, External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna called on Waheed at the Taj Palace Hotel and the two were closeted for about an hour, according to external affairs ministry officials.

Waheed will call on President Pratibha Patil Saturday evening.