Wednesday
8th Jan 2025
Dhivehi Edition
India Out movement
The #IndiaOut campaign was a grassroots response to growing Indian influence and military presence in the Maldives.
MP Azaan, Photo: TMJ
The #IndiaOut campaign, a movement sparked by growing concerns over foreign influence and military presence in the Maldives, has been highlighted by MP Ahmed Azaan in a recent social media post. Reflecting on the grassroots movement, Azaan emphasized its role in preserving national sovereignty and shaping the political landscape of the country.
In his post, Azaan detailed the origins of the campaign, which began as discussions on social media before evolving into a nationwide cause. The movement, he stated, was a response to actions perceived as compromising Maldives’ sovereignty, including:
- Stationing of Indian military personnel under the pretext of operating helicopters and Dornier aircraft.
- Secretive agreements like the hydrography deal, which raised transparency concerns.
- The UTF agreement, which was viewed as a threat to the country's autonomy.
“This wasn’t the first time Maldivians stood against external interference,” Azaan wrote, drawing parallels to historical instances such as resistance against British rule during the pre-independence era.
The campaign played a pivotal role in the election of President Mohamed Muizzu in 2023, according to Azaan. President Muizzu’s administration has since made significant strides in addressing these concerns:
- Allowing the hydrography agreement to lapse as part of a broader review of foreign agreements.
- Replacing foreign military personnel with civilians.
- Amending the Constitution to bar foreign military presence and mandate parliamentary approval for changes to territorial or Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) boundaries.
In his inauguration speech, President Muizzu underscored his commitment to national sovereignty, stating, “The policies of the Maldives Government must be based on the interests of the Maldivian people. When it comes to the security of the Maldives, I will always draw a thick red line.”
Azaan concluded his remarks by acknowledging India’s role as the Maldives’ closest neighbor while emphasizing the need for a relationship built on mutual respect and sovereignty. He contrasted the current administration’s Maldives-first approach with the previous government, accusing it of compromising national interests to retain power.