Indian Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj, left, shakes hands with Maldives‘ President Abdulla Yameen next to Maldives’ Foreign Minister Dunya Maumoon, right, in Male, Maldives Sunday.

Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen on Sunday warned India’s foreign minister against external interference in the islands’ affairs, his office said, as international pressure mounts to release his jailed predecessor.

The president told Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj that all nations should respect the Maldives’ sovereignty, during her official visit to the capital Male to strengthen ties between the Indian Ocean neighbors.

“President Yameen stated that this government will not tolerate foreign parties to interfere with the country’s domestic issues,” his office said in a statement.

Yameen also “underscored that a country’s integrity and national sovereignty must be respected by all,” the statement said.

Yameen made no reference to the controversial conviction this year of former president Mohamed Nasheed, the country’s main opposition leader, and his jailing for 13 years on terrorism charges.

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