Foreign Minister Dr. Abdullah Khaleel has stated that the "India Out" movement is not supported by this government and that it was being led by former President Abdullah Yameen.

In an interview with India's Wion news during his current visit to India, the Minister said that the Maldives and India have a very close relationship, and this government wants to further strengthen that relationship.

The Minister characterized the India Out movement as a campaign run by President Yameen.

"A former President of the Maldives led the [India Out] movement. He is not part of the government. He stands as someone working against the government in opposition," Khaleel said.

The Minister said that there might be people both in the opposition and within the government who do not agree with some of the government's policies, but that this would not affect the relationship between the government and India.

The Minister further stated that some people are working to deteriorate the relationship between India and the Maldives, citing an article published in the Washington Post last week claiming that India is funding a movement to overthrow President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu's government as evidence of this.