In response to the controversy regarding the extension of the state of emergency, the Maldives government says it calls for dialogue with India, and that “public statements are unhelpful.”

In a press release, the foreign ministry said the government has taken note of the public statements issued by the Indian government “that ignore the facts and ground realities with regard to the ongoing political developments in the Maldives.”

“The assertion by the Government of India that the extension of the State of Emergency by the People’s Majlis (parliament) was unconstitutional is a clear distortion of facts, which ignore the Constitution and Laws of the Maldives,” reads the statement.

The ministry goes on to explain the legal process by which President Abdulla Yameen declared and extended the state of emergency, and assured that it only affects “individuals alleged to have carried out illegal activities and in the places they stayed.”

The ministry said the state of emergency “ensures no other restriction on the daily lives of the people and provides protection to the citizens living in the Maldives, to foreign workers and to those visiting the country.”

“There is no doubt that the Maldives is experiencing one of the most difficult periods in the history of the nation.  It is therefore important that friends and partners in the international community, including India, refrain from any actions that could hinder resolving the situation facing the country,” it said.

Government of Maldives reiterated its "firm commitment to work closely with the international community, including India, to address the concerns they might have.”