President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has denied ever pursuing an anti-India agenda.
He made the remarks in response to a question during the 'Deans Leadership Series' of Princeton University’s School of Public and International Affairs.
The President said he never had an "India Out" perspective and the issue had always been with the presence of the Indian military in the Maldives.
"We have never been against any one country at any point. It's not India Out. Maldives faced a serious problem with foreign military presence on this soil," Muizzu stated.
"The people of Maldives do not want a single foreign soldier in the country."
Muizzu further stressed that he had taken action against deputy ministers for insulting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on social media.
"No one should say such a thing. I took action against it. I will not accept insulting anyone like that, whether he is a leader or an ordinary person. Every human being has a reputation," he said.
Earlier this year, Deputy Youth Ministers Malsha Shareef and Mariyam Shiuna called Modi a "clown" and a "terrorist" on social media posts.
They were both on suspension with pay following the incident that caused a diplomatic row between the Maldives and India.
However, both of them resigned on the day President Muizzu announced his scheduled visit to India.
