Maldives top diplomat denies wearing ‘India Out’ t-shirt

Foreign Minister Abdulla Khaleel has denied that a photograph exists on social media showing him wearing a T-shirt with the slogan “India Out” during the PPM-PNC opposition campaign.

Responding in Parliament to a question from MDP Parliamentary Group Leader and Hithadhoo South MP Ibrahim Nazil on Wednesday, Khaleel said there was no such image online.

“None of you will have seen me wearing the ‘India Out’ T-shirt on social media. But you may have seen me wearing a T-shirt related to Maldives’ independence and sovereignty,” Khaleel said.

MDP MP Ameen Faisal later asked whether the minister considered the ‘India Out’ campaign to have been a mistake during his time in the opposition. Khaleel did not give a direct answer, instead criticising the MDP for previous actions against foreign countries.

He said the MDP, while in opposition, had sent delegations abroad to call for a boycott of tourism in Maldives. “This is causing a lot of damage to the people of Maldives. It is not cheap to do things to achieve selfish interest, to do things that humiliate the people and the country,” he said.

Khaleel served as MP for Nilandhoo in the 18th Parliament and has not held political office since that term. However, he took part in former President Abdulla Yameen’s visits to islands during the ‘India Out’ campaign. In some photographs from the trips, Khaleel is seen wearing a T-shirt with the words 'In Defence of Freedom'. Several ministers in the current administration, including President Mohamed Muizzu, then Mayor of Malé, were photographed wearing 'India Out' T-shirts during the campaign.