Indian High Commission seeks action against fake media reports

The Indian High Commission has called on authorities for action against Maldivian online media outlets for propagating fake news reports regarding the Indian government and military.

In a post on X, former Twitter, on Wednesday, the Indian High Commission said that it “unequivocally rejects fake news items being circulated on online platforms seeking to malign India-Maldives relations.”

It called on the Maldivian Foreign Ministry and the Maldives Media Council to take “suitable action against those responsible, and guide the concerned media to write responsibly and ethically.”

The high commission posted screenshots of some of the news articles in question, including a report that claims that the high commission is asking visa applicants about the presidential candidate they are voting for, one that claims the high commission and the Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF) is planning an emergency joint press conference, and one claiming that Indian soldiers in HDh. Hanimaadhoo are asking people who they are voting for.

We unequivocally reject fake news items being circulated on online platforms seeking to malign India-Maldives relations.

We request @MoFAmv and @mmc_mv to take suitable action against those responsible and guide the concerned media to write responsibly and ethically. pic.twitter.com/3gT7t7KKOL

— India in Maldives (@HCIMaldives) September 13, 2023

Maldives-India relations have grown stronger over the last five years, and the opposition alleges that the current administration is allowing for a large number of Indian soldiers to operate on Maldivian soil.

The main opposition PPM had run a campaign to expel the alleged Indian soldiers stationed in Maldives, called the ‘India Out’ movement.

The allegations are denied by the Maldivian administration.