New Delhi: Maldives has declined India's invitation to participate in the biennial naval exercise 'Milan', which starts March 6, Navy Chief Admiral Sunil Lanba said today.

Maldives has not given any reason for the decision, Lanba told reporters on the sidelines of an event here.

Navy sources said over 16 countries have confirmed their participation in the exercise.

The latest development comes amid the island country's latest warning against India's interference in its political crisis, deepening a rift with the country once seen as its closest ally.

New Delhi had recently expressed concern about the situation in the honeymoon islands, whose president has sacked top judges, jailed political dissidents and imposed a state of emergency in recent weeks.

"There is no doubt that the Maldives is experiencing one of the most difficult periods in the history of the nation," the islands' ministry said in a statement late Thursday.