New Delhi, August 1: The former vice-president of Maldives, Ahmed Adeeb, was reportedly detained by the Indian agencies in Tamil Nadu’s Tuticorin on Thursday, while he was trying to enter India illegally. The dignitary who arrived on a vessel “cannot deboard now, since there was no information about him coming to India,” a top district police official told PTI.

Ahmed Adeeb was looking to illegally enter India, disguised as a crew member of a tug boat, reported the Maldives Independent report.

“Tuticorin Port (Tamil Nadu) Authority say they have detained the former vice-president of Maldives, Ahmed Adeeb. MEA says, 'they are trying to ascertain the veracity of the reports,” reported ANI sharing a tweet.

Reacting on the news, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said in his press conference that, “We are trying to ascertain the veracity of the reports. We will contact their government and find out if these reports are true.”

India and Maldives have enjoyed cordial relations especially since 2014 when Prime Minister Narendra Modi came to power. PM Narendra Modi was also conferred with the Maldives’ highest honour “Rule of Nishan Izzuddeen” on June 8 in recognition of his key role in strengthening the longstanding bilateral ties.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 01, 2019 05:47 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).