Colombo, Apr 7 (IANS): The US is in touch with India over the situation in the Maldives, a US embassy official has said.

The US appreciates work other countries are undertaking to mediate in the political tussle in the Maldives, Xinhua quoted Valerie Fowler, Charge d'Affaires of the US embassy in Colombo, in a statement.

Fowler said the US was in touch with the Indian foreign secretary and the Indian envoy in Male.

Earlier this week, Fowler met Maldivian President Mohammed Waheed Hassan and other government officials as well as representatives of several major political parties.

"Through dialogue, capacity-building measures can be developed to create the conditions conducive to early elections. We continue to believe that this constitutes the best way forward," the US official said.

After President Mohamed Nasheed was ousted Feb 7 leading to political tensions, Indian Foreign Secretary Ranjan Mathai visited Male twice to mediate a political settlement among feuding political parties.

Nasheed, who quit as president amid a mutiny by sections of the police Feb 7, is expected to come to India this month.