PM Modi calls former Maldives president Gayoom days after his release on bail
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Gayoom was arrested in February along with the country's Chief Justice and another Supreme Court judge on a charge of attempting to topple Yameen.
Former Maldives President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom on Tuesday thanked prime minister Narendra Modi for his "strong support" and his telephone call.
PM Modi phoned the former president days after his release from jail on bail.
Gayoom took to Twitter and said: "Thank you Excellency PM @narendramodi for your telephone call today and for your strong support for our democratic process. I am particularly grateful for the kind sentiments you have expressed about me personally."
Thank you Excellency PM @narendramodi for your telephone call today and for your strong support for our democratic process. I am particularly grateful for the kind sentiments you have expressed about me personally.
— Maumoon Abdul Gayoom (@maumoonagayoom) October 2, 2018
He was released from jail on Sunday, a week after his estranged half-brother suffered a shock electoral defeat, raising hopes that other high profile political prisoners could soon have their convictions overturned.
Gayoom, 80, and his legislator son Faris Maumoon, were released on bail by the High Court in Male, a week after strongman Abdulla Yameen's spectacular loss at the polls in the Indian Ocean archipelago nation.
He was arrested in February along with the country's Chief Justice and another Supreme Court judge on a charge of attempting to topple Yameen. He declared a 45-day state of emergency to block impeachment.
Gayoom was serving a 19-month jail term for obstruction of justice and was also under trial on a "terrorism" charge when the High Court ordered his release. The ex-leader had bail set at 60,000 rufiyaa (US $3,900) and his son Faris at 40,000 rufiyaa, and they were ordered not to travel abroad without the court's permission.