India has urged all political parties in Maldives to exercise restraint and to continue discussions to find a peaceful and viable solution as agreed upon under the roadmap.

Ministry of External Affairs Spokesman said this in New Delhi while replying to a question about the developments in Maldives that witnessed fresh violence on Thursday.

An official release said the people in Maldives should continue necessary discussions under the All-Party Consultative Committee and the People's Majlis to find a peaceful and viable solution to the present situation in the country.

The spokesman reiterated India's position that this is an internal matter of Maldives and should be resolved by the people in a peaceful and democratic manner.

He said India was ready to assist the government and the people of Maldives in any manner necessary.

Meanwhile, the Commonwealth has appointed its former Secretary General Sir Donald McKinnon as Special Envoy to Maldives.

Commonwealth Secretary General Kamalesh Sharma said in a statement in London that the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group was deeply concerned and was committed to working with Maldives in a constructive and positive way.

He said McKinnon would visit Maldives to promote consolidation of democratic culture and institutions and to encourage agreement among political leaders to resolve the current political situation.