Yameen invites WION to interview him on ‘India Out’ campaign

Former president Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayyoom has invited Indian media outlet, WION, to interview him regarding the remarks made by Foreign Minister Dr. Abdulla Khaleel on the ‘India Out’ campaign led by PPM-PNC when they had been the opposition during an interview with the media outlet.

In the exclusive interview with WION during his recent official visit to India, Minister Khaleel claimed that the ‘India Out’ campaign was led by Yameen

Former Technology Minister Mohamed Maleeh Jamal, who works closely with Yameen in his new political party, the People’s National Front (PNF), published a post on X announcing that Yameen has invited WION to visit the Maldives for an in-person interview.

WION has also reported on the invite, citing they have requested the arrangement of an online interview at the earliest.

In his interview, 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.

‘India Out’ campaign was initiated by PPM-PNC when they had been the opposition demanding the removal of Indian troops based in the Maldives. One of the figureheads of the campaign was Yameen, who had visited islands as part of activities under the campaign while donning ‘India Out’ t-shirts.

One of the most prominent electoral pledges of the current administration is the removal of Indian troops based in the Maldives. While the government has announced the fulfillment of the pledge, Yameen alleges the public has been misled on the matter. In this regard, Yameen claims that Indian troops are still present in the Maldives.