New Delhi, Aug 26: The Centre on Sunday distanced itself away from the controversial remark of BJP MP Subramanian Swamy, who said India should "invade" Maldives if the presidential polls to be held in the island nation on September 23 gets rigged.

Clarifying the government's view on his statement, the Ministry of External Affairs said Swamy has spoken in his personal capacity. "The opinion expressed by Dr Swamy in his tweet is personal view. It does not reflects the views of the Government of India," said MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar.

Swamy had posted the contentious tweet on Friday, two days after meeting exiled former Maldives president Mohamed Nasheed in Sri Lankan capital Colombo.

Following the meet, Swamy said Nasheed was apprehensive that the government of Abdulla Yameen will not allow free and fair elections in the nation. The chief polling body has already barred Nasheed from contesting, he added.

"India should invade Maldives if rigging of election takes place," Swamy said, further quipping, "We need an action plan."

Although New Delhi has sidelined away from Swamy's view, the former Union Minister defended his statement today on Twitter. He posted as follows:

Ties between Maldives and India went downhill in February this year, after President Yameen imposed a 45-day emergency. The Modi government had expressed solidarity with the Maldives Supreme Court judge who was arrested for acquitting a slew of Opposition leaders, including Nasheed.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 26, 2018 09:08 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).