Mohamed Nasheed. Photo: AP Mohamed Nasheed. Photo: AP

China on Wednesday declined to join India and other countries in expressing concern over the arrest and manhandling of former Maldives President Mohammad Nasheed, instead backing under-fire President Abdulla Yameen on the issue.

When asked if Beijing, which has boosted economic ties with the island nation under the current government of President Yameen, had concerns on the political turmoil in the country following Nasheed's arrest, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said the matter was "a domestic affair of Maldives".

"We are committed to non-interference in other countries' domestic affairs," Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hong Lei told reporters.

Hong added, "We believe the Maldives government has the capacity to deal with this issue."

China's stance will please the Yameen government, following concerns expressed in recent days by a number of countries, including India, on Nasheed's arrest.

Beijing's statement underlined its support to Yameen in clear terms, expressing its confidence that his government "has the capacity" to handle the issue.

India said it was "concerned by recent developments in the Maldives, including the arrest and manhandling of former President Nasheed". The United States, United Kingdom and Commonwealth have also expressed concern about the events in the island nation in recent days.