Maldives has declined India's invitation to participate in the eight-day-long mega naval exercise -- Milan -- beginning March 6, in an apparent snub to New Delhi which has been critical of the Yameen government in view of the emergency in the island nation. "Maldives was invited to join the Milan exercise but they have declined," Navy Chief Admiral Sunil Lanba told reporters, and indicated that the country may have taken the decision possibly due to the current situation there.

"They have not given any reason," he said. Admiral Lanba was speaking to reporters on the sidelines of an event. Ties between India and Maldives nosedived after Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen declared emergency on February 5 following an order by the country's Supreme Court to release a group of Opposition leaders, who had been convicted in widely criticised trials. On February 21, India had reacted strongly over the extension of emergency by a month. India will host navies from at least 16 countries for the mega naval exercise at the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The exercise is taking place in the backdrop of China's growing military posturing in the Indo-Pacific region and officials indicated that the issue is likely to figure during deliberations at the event. Officials said China's military manoeuvres in the South China Sea may figure during discussions among navy chiefs of the participating countries at the event.