NEW DELHI (TIP): India has appointed Rajeev Shahare as the new High Commissioner to Maldives replacing incumbent D M Mulay. The appointment comes at a time when bilateral ties between India and Maldives are at an all-time low over various issues with the foremost being the termination of the contract given to GMR for the modernisation of the Male International Airport. Shahare is currently a Joint Secretary in the West Asia North Africa division in the Ministry of External Affairs.

Mulay has been appointed as India’s Consul General in New York. He will be assuming charge in March 2013, sources said. The bilateral ties between India and Maldives received a blow after Maldives unilaterally terminated the $ 500 million Male airport project, awarded to GMR by previous Nasheed government, a decision inviting India’s displeasure over the issue. India also conveyed to Maldives that it expected no arbitrary and coercive action should be taken pending the outcome of legal proceedings on the GMR contract issue, warning that recourse to any such action would have adverse consequences for bilateral relations.