India sent its special envoy to Male on Friday to assess the situation in Maldives. The Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh despatched his special envoy and secretary west in the Ministry of External Affairs M. Ganapathi to the island nation.

New Delhi is in favour of resolving the problem through dialogue. The Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh told reporters on the sidelines of a function in New Delhi that India wants to use its influence to encourage resolution of the crisis through peaceful dialogue.

Maldives plunged into a state of crisis after the ouster of former President Mohamad Nasheed.

Mr. Ganapathi met Nasheed and his successor Mohamed Waheed and conveyed India's willingness to assist Maldives in early installation of a national unity government.

The Maldivian court has issued a warrant for the arrest of former President, a day after his supporters went on a rampage in the capital.

The ousted President who walked free on Friday despite an arrest warrant against him has called for immediate release of nearly 500 supporters.They were arrested for burning down of police and court houses on Wednesday in the capital.

Nasheed has urged his successor to hand over power to the speaker in Parliament and allow fresh elections within 60 days.