Maldives opposition plans to hold a protest titled “India Out”, this month.

RaajjeMV has learnt that the Progressive Coalition -comprising of former ruling Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM), and the People’s National Congress (PNC)- plans to hold the rally in the capital on National Day, and participants are to wear Maldivian traditional clothes.

While Maldives celebrates National Day on the 1st of Rabee ul Awwal, the third month of Hijri calendar, it falls on October 18 this year.

The opposition claims that the the incumbent administration has ‘become a slave to India’, and condemned “Indian military presence in Maldivian soil”.

While the opposition continues to make various accusations against the neighboring nation and question its assistance to the country, some of its senior officials met with Indian High Commissioner Sunjay Sudhir earlier this month, seeking help in the work for the release of their leader and former President Abdulla Yameen from prison.

The opposition held protests on August 28 and September 12 as well, despite the Covid-19 safety rules placed in the capital. While over 40 protesters were arrested at the last rally, the opposition later denied any involvement.

There were calls against India at these protests as well.

Maldives' historic relations with India turned sour during Yameen's tenure, however, the relationship has improved since incumbent President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih took over in November 2018. While Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a short visit to the country to attend Solih's inauguration ceremony, the president's first state visit was to India.