♦ Biennial exercise is being organised in Andaman, Nicobar 

♦ Maldives opposition seeks UN-mediated talks to end deadlock

Maldives has declined India's invitation to participate in the biennial naval exercise Milan, which starts March 6, Navy Chief Admiral Sunil Lanba said yesterday.

Maldives has not given any reason for the decision, Lanba told reporters on the sidelines of an event here. Navy sources said over 16 countries have confirmed their participation in the exercise.

The biennial exercise 'Milan' is being organised in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in the backdrop of China's growing military posturing in the Indo-Pacific region and officials said the issue is likely to figure during deliberations among navy chiefs of the participating countries at the event.

"The interactions during Milan encompass sharing of views and ideas on maritime good order and enhancing regional cooperation for combating unlawful activities at sea," spokesperson of Indian Navy Capt D K Sharma said.

Besides fostering cooperation through naval exercises and professional interactions, Capt Sharma said 'Milan' will also provide an opportunity to the participating navies to nurture stronger ties in dealing with various security challenges.

India, the US and several other nations have been pressing for freedom of navigation in the disputed South China Sea, reported PTI.

India recently expressed its "deep dismay" over the Maldives' decision to extend the state of Emergency for another 30 days.

India has also urged Maldives government to release the Chief Justice and a Supreme Court judge and political prisoners.

Meanwhile, the Maldivian opposition said yesterday it had hired a former UN rights rapporteur to push the global body to intervene in a political deadlock that has roiled the troubled honeymoon islands. The opposition alliance, which includes the parties of former presidents Mohamed Nasheed and Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, said they had enlisted British lawyer Ben Emmerson to advise them on securing UN mediation in the crisis, reported AFP.