Maldivian President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih on April 21 issued a decree banning the ‘India Out’ campaign terming it a “threat to national security.”
- The campaign is now led by former President Abdulla Yameen.
- The Presidential order said the campaign against India “exploited” the freedoms and “intends to disrupt” the long-standing bilateral relations between the Maldives and India as well as efforts to maintain peace and security in the region.
- The move follows a recent decision by the Maldives’s National Security Council that the campaign “to incite hatred against India” is a “threat” to national security.
- The ‘India Out’ campaign gained prominence in recent months with former President Abdulla Yameen spearheading it. The campaign accuses the Maldivian government of “allowing” Indian military presence in the island nation.
New initiatives
- After taking office, the Solih government sent out clear signals that it intended to repair ties with India, which had taken a hit during the Yameen presidency.
- The government also declared an India First foreign policy. Since then, Delhi and Male have signed a security cooperation pact with a credit line of $50 million from India for capacity building in the maritime domain.
- India is also helping to develop a coast guard base at the Uthuru Thilafalhu atoll. The pact includes cooperation in fighting terrorism and extremism.
- Maldives is part of the New Delhi-driven Colombo Security Conclave, which also includes Sri Lanka and, lately, Mauritius.
