The Maldives Is Being Governed By India's Orders: Yameen

Opposition leader, former President Abdullah Yameen Abdul Gayyoom has stated that the Maldives is no longer being governed by President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, but rather as per the orders of India.

He said this while addressing a crowd of supporters and well-wishers who had gathered in Mahibadhoo (Alifu Dhaalu Atoll), which he had visited as part of the "India Out" campaign. The India Out campaign is a grassroots movement, later adopted by the opposition, which calls for the removal of Indian military assets and personnel from the Maldives.

The former President stated that Indian soldiers had been stationed throughout the Maldives, and armed Indian soldiers were currently active in the capital city of Male, as well. He said that the stationing of Indian soldiers in the Maldives was a "great annoyance" and a "disaster" that has befallen the nation.

Although the Maldivian people had one of their own in the post of the Presidency, he did not truly govern the Maldives, said Yameen. Rather, the country was being run on the orders of the Indian High Commissioner at Athireege.

He said that although the “India Out” campaign began as a movement to expel the Indian military from the Maldives, it has grown bigger than that since then. He said that in addition to stationing their soldiers in the country, India has begun influencing the country’s foreign policy and domestic affairs. He said that this interference must be brought to an end.