Hulhumale Magistrate Court had ordered the Police to produce Nasheed in court on Wednesday for a hearing of his trial over the arrest and subsequent detention of Chief Criminal Judge Abdulla Mohamed during his presidency. However, Nasheed around noon on Wednesday sought refuge at the Indian High Commission in Male. In a statement, Indian External Affairs Ministry insisted that the Indian government is in touch with the relevant Maldivian authorities to resolve the situation. “Following the arrest warrant issued against him by the Hulhumale Magistrate Court, Nasheed, who is a candidate for the Presidential elections in Maldives scheduled for September 2013, is in the Indian High Commission and has sought India’s assistance,” the statement read. “We are in touch with the relevant Maldivian authorities to resolve the situation.” India further expressed concern over the ongoing political instability in Maldives and called upon the Maldives government and all political parties to adhere strictly to democratic principles and the rule of law, thereby paving the way for free, fair, credible and inclusive elections. “Now that the President of the Election Commission of Maldives has announced that Presidential elections would be held on 7 September 2013, it is necessary that the Presidential nominees of recognized political parties be free to participate in the elections without any hindrance.” The statement also said the prevention of participation by political leaders in the contest would call into question the integrity of the electoral process, thereby perpetuating the current political instability in Maldives. “This is not in the interest of Maldives or the region,” the statement read. “India would call upon the Government and all political parties in Maldives to avoid any actions that would vitiate the political atmosphere in the Maldives.” The ex-President who remains inside the High Commission said on his twitter page that “India has agreed to give him refuge.” Meanwhile, the Hulhumale Court cancelled Wednesday’s hearing on Nasheed’s trial after Nasheed sought refuge at the Indian High Commission and did not attend the hearing. Police had earlier informed that Hulhumale Court that it is unable to implement the order issued to produce Nasheed in court as the ex-President was inside the Indian High Commission in Male. As the Indian High Commission is a designated diplomatic area, he cannot be arrested till the time he remains inside the complex. The arrest warrant was issued after Nasheed missed the last hearing on Sunday as Nasheed had not returned to Maldives from his visit to India. If found guilty Nasheed faces possible jail time which means he could be barred from contesting in the presidential election.