India worried over military coup in Mali

New Delhi: India on Friday expressed concern over the situation in Mali where mutinous soldiers have declared a coup, causing uncertainty in the west African nation. “The Government of India expresses its deep concern over the recent developments in Mali and calls for respect of the constitutional order and democratic process in that country,” an external affairs spokesperson said in a statement.[caption id=“attachment_254189” align=“alignleft” width=“380” caption=“People wander through the wreckage of an insurance company office looted after the Malian army staged a coup, in the capital Bamako, on 23 March 2012. Adama Diarra/Reuters”]  [/caption] The spokesperson said the ministry was in touch with the embassy of India in Bamako. “The small Indian community in Mali is safe. The members of the community have been advised to exercise caution and remain in contact with the embassy.” “India will monitor the evolving situation in Mali.” Mutineering soldiers, angry over President Amadou Toumani Toure’s handling of an insurgency in the country’s north, stormed his palace Thursday and declared a coup. The whereabouts of the president are not known since even as the coup leader, Capt. Amadou Haya Sanogo, on state television, said the leader “is very well” and “is safe”. The Indian official said India “welcomes the statements by the United Nations Security Council, the African Union and the Economic Community Of West African States (ECOWAS) on the developments in Mali”. IANS