Former President Abdulla Yameen, who led the "India Out" campaign, has questioned the sincerity and intentions of the government in seeking the removal of Indian soldiers from the Maldives.

Posing questions to speakers at a rally of his newly-formed People's National Front (PNF) at the party's office last night, Yameen said the government should maintain the same principles and objectives in important matters related to the public.

He was referring to government statements and changes in the dates for the removal of Indian soldiers.

One group of Indian soldiers based in three regions across the country was proposed to leave by March 10 and the removal of the rest was proposed by May 15. The government previously proposed the removal of all Indian soldiers from the Maldives before March 15.

Addressing talk of bringing civilians to replace Indian troops in the Maldives, Yameen cast doubt on the plans.

"What I've thought over this is that it won't happen like that. It's just going to be military people. Military people out of uniform could act like civilians. So that's how this is going," Yameen said.

"Our mouths have been sown up from talking about 'India Out.' All activities have been forced to stop."

Yameen reiterated concern last night over the failure to rescind a decree issued by the former President that targeted stopping the "India Out" campaign conducted by current government officials when they were in opposition.

Characterizing the "India Out" campaign as a coordinated effort against a particular country for political reasons without a valid purpose, former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih signed and issued the decree on April 21, 2022, under the name of "stopping organized activities under various slogans to incite hatred against specific countries."

"So considering these matters, how much of an intent, how much sincerity, is there in carrying out efforts to remove Indian soldiers?" Yameen asked.

Incumbent President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, his Special Advisor Abdul Raheem Abdulla, Defense Minister Ghassan Maumoon and Local Government Minister Adam Shareef had met the press on the day that the decree was issued.

Current government officials who had been in opposition at the time believed that the decree was unlawful because it restricted constitutional rights on freedom of expression, freedom of assembly and freedom to carry out political activities.

Speaking about the removal of Indian soldiers from the Maldives during a trip to Thaa atoll last week, President Muizzu said being short-tempered would not produce results.