Khaleel: ‘India Out’ movement led by Yameen who is now against us

Foreign Minister Dr. Abdulla Khaleel states the ‘India Out’ movement which members of the current administration took part in when they had been the opposition was led by former president Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayyoom, who he added has completely segregated himself from the government.

The Minister spoke regarding the events that briefly strained Maldives-India relations during an interview with Wion, an Indian media outlet, during his recent official visit to the neighboring nation.

In this regard, Minister Khaleel spoke regarding the ‘India Out’ movement, citing the movement was spearheaded by Yameen. He stressed that the former president has now completely segregated himself from ruling PNC, and formed his party, which he is still heading, and is against the government.

The Minister asserted that President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has repeatedly expressed commitment to foster stronger relations with India.

“And categorically, our president has mentioned several times that he is building, he is moving forward with a stronger relationship with India and Indian people. So that is our stand. Our relationship with the former president is totally different. He is totally out and he's working against us at the moment,” he added.

He noted that Maldives and India, at present, are having economic and security ties which are growing.

“So, I believe, at the moment, since we are having a very close and strong relationship based on this mutual respect and trust and historical evidence that there is no space for these kinds of disturbances in the relationship, it will not be there,” he stressed.

Minister Khaleel, citing there will be figures in all countries that are not in line with the policies of the government, stressed they do not reflect the views of the government. As such, the government will completely disassociate with isolated comments from such figures, whether they represent the government or opposition. He pointed out the fact that President Muizzu had suspended some of the officials from the government as an example of the administration’s commitment to honor the ties with India.

The Minister is referring to the suspension of three deputy ministers who made disparaging remarks regarding India and Indian Prime Minister Modi following a social media post promoting India’s Lakshadweep as an alternative tourist destination to the Maldives.

The Maldives Foreign Ministry was quick to distance itself from the remarks, saying that they do not represent the views of the Male’ government. The three junior ministers were suspended, and two of them – Mariyam Shiuna and Malsha Shareef – later resigned.

Speaking further, Minister Khaleel alleged that various individuals were working on disrupting Maldives-India ties, As an example, he pointed out a recent report published by the Washington Post which he described as “totally untrue”.

The Minister said the governments of both Maldives and India understand there are people who will work to disrupt the relations between the two nations, however, know that they are there to foster a very strong relationship between the nations alongside the people-to-people connection.

Despite the Minister's remarks that the 'India Out' movement was led by Yameen, all members of the current administration actively took part in the movement including organizing nationwide events under the movement.