To a question whether India should consider sending troops to the island country, Mr. Sinha said that it is one of the options. The main concern is that time is not lost while India acts, Mr. Sinha said. Mr. Sinha said that there were reports that China has already “taken over” 17-18 islands which were part of Maldives and asserted that it was a “matter of most serious concern”. “That Chinese should come and right under our nose, in our backyard, play these games, India should not remain a mute spectator,” he said. Hence, it (Maldives) feels it can do what it wants,” Mr. Sinha said.

Source: The Hindu February 11, 2018 13:52 UTC