India has assured Maldives of continued support and cooperation. The Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh today wrote to the new President of Maldives Dr. Mohamed Waheed and assured him of continued support to the Maldivian people and cooperation with the Government of Maldives.

Dr. Singh in his felicitation letter to President Dr. Waheed said India is committed working with the Government of Maldives for the continued security and prosperity of both the countries. The Prime Minister reiterated, India will, as always, continue to support the Maldivian people's efforts to build a stable, peaceful and prosperous country.

Our correspondent reports that President Nasheed announced his resignation yesterday after weeks of public protests over his order to arrest a senior judge, who had ordered release of a government critic, and handed over the power to his Vice President Mohammed Waheed Hassan.

India had yesterday described the change of regime in Maldives due to protests as an internal matter of the country and said that it is watching the emerging situation in that country.