In the midst of the “India Out” campaign that has engulfed the Maldives for months, President Ibrahim Mohammed Solih signed a decree on Thursday prohibiting anti-India rallies, alleging a threat to national security.
The decree, titled “Stopping Campaigns that Incite Hatred Against Various Countries Under Various Slogans,” specifically mentions the India Out demonstrations as an organised campaign aimed at disrupting bilateral ties and attempts to maintain regional peace and security by encouraging disturbance.
President Solih has directed the necessary agencies to carry out the decree in accordance with the law’s requirements.
The decree, which was released in Dhivehi, states that the state has a responsibility to safeguard the safety of diplomats stationed in the nation and diplomatic missions. Following threats made on social media against Indian diplomats and the mission as the campaign gained traction, the Indian embassy sought increased protection, which the Solih administration supplied.
The anti-India movement was started by a social media activist, but after his release from prison in December, former President Abdulla Yameen has become its face.
A large “India Out” banner was seen hanging out of his Male home on Wednesday. With a court order, the cops took it down on Thursday.
From 2013 to 2018, Yameen steered the Maldives’ foreign policy in a decidedly pro-China direction. Beijing was projecting its authority in the Indian Ocean area at the time, as well as selling its Belt and Road Initiative.
Yameen is presently running for re-election with the India Out campaign. By September 2023, presidential elections will be held.
“They’re exploiting these protests to sow widespread discontent and instability throughout the country.” “They seek to instigate a coup against the government,” stated Mohammed Aslam, the chairman of the parliamentary national security committee.
According to the presidential order, while the government is dedicated to protecting freedoms of expression and assembly, individuals behind the campaign were abusing these rights for their personal gain, causing disturbance in the Maldives and isolating it from the world community.
The National Security Council found that the campaign, which aimed to “incite hatred towards India,” constituted a threat to the country’s national security, may impede the state’s ability to preserve sovereignty, and presented a threat to Maldivians residing abroad, according to the statement.
The Maldivian Democratic Party, which is in power, has contemplated introducing legislation to prohibit the India Out campaign. Although a draught of the proposed bill was disseminated, the concept was abandoned.
After assuming office, the Solih administration gave out strong indications that it sought to mend ties with India, which had deteriorated under the Yameen presidency. The administration has also adopted a foreign strategy that prioritises India.
Since then, Delhi and Male have inked a security cooperation agreement, with India providing a $50 million credit line for marine capacity building. India is also assisting in the development of a coast guard post on the atoll of Uthuru Thilafalhu. Cooperation in the fight against terrorism and extremism is included in the deal.
The Maldives is a member of the Colombo Security Conclave, which is led by New Delhi and includes Sri Lanka and, more recently, Mauritius. In a section of the Indian Ocean where India views itself as first responder and net security provider, the minilateral envisions collaboration on “common security objectives.”
New Delhi has a military presence in the Maldives, according to the India Out campaign, which the Maldives government rejects. This has been the campaign’s main focus.
In March, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar paid a visit to the Maldives. He unveiled a series of new initiatives throughout the Maldivian archipelago as part of the High Impact Community Development Project (HICDP).
Hospitals, sports facilities, and museums are among the initiatives. In the Maldives, India already has 20 HICDPs. These initiatives are completed in response to local community requests and suggestions. The Greater Male Connectivity Project is India’s largest infrastructure project in the Maldives.
Maldives is home to a large community of expatriate Indians who are mostly employed in the hospitality, education and health sectors.
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