The Maldivian government on Friday hit the damage control button after the banned “India Out” campaign resurfaced in recent weeks and on Thursday had protesters donning Narendra Modi masks.

In a statement, the Maldives government condemned the Opposition for using face masks depicting Prime Minister Modi during their demonstrations on Thursday and the continuing use of the “India Out” slogan.

The Solih government also iterated its commitment to Male’s India First policy, which the Opposition has been protesting against for months, alleging that the Maldivian Democratic Party dispensation was jeopardising the archipelago’s autonomy by siding up with New Delhi.

Wearing Modi masks, supporters of former President Abdulla Yameen have been staging protests with #IndiaOut banners demanding his early release for some days now. On Thursday, they went around Male greeting people with Modi masks. A video circulated widely on social media showed some of them dressed up in what looked like tattered white kurta pajamas and one had been garlanded with sandals.

In the statement, the Maldivian government said: “Such dishonourable acts by the Opposition regarding one of Maldives’ key bilateral partners and its leadership during Eid Al-Adha festivities, a time of peace joy and harmony, does not only provoke hatred but also promote hostility with the objective of tarnishing the country’s long-standing cordial ties with India.

“The strong bilateral relationship between the Maldives and India is based on shared historical and cultural ties, matched by dynamic people-to-people contact.

India has always been the Maldives’ closest ally and trusted neighbour, extending constant and consistent support to the people of Maldives on all fronts.’’

About the bilateral relationship, the Maldivian government added: “The long-standing ties between both countries have been elevated to new heights during the past five years, with the strong commitment of the leadership of both countries. The government appreciates India’s ‘Neighbourhood First Policy’ and Maldives reiterates to uphold its ‘India First’ policy and remains committed to cementing the close ties it shares with India.”

The “India Out” campaign is nearly three years old now, beginning as a protest against India’s military presence in the atoll nation.

It was launched by the Progressive Party of Maldives of Abdulla Yameen in response to the Solih government’s growing ties with India, particularly in the military domain and the decision toopen an Indian consulate in the southernmost atoll of Addu.

The Yameen government was seen to be pro-China and his regime was marked by a freeze in India-Maldives relations though Male even then maintained that it was following an India First policy.

With presidential elections due in a few months, the “India Out” campaign is likely to gain further traction.

This is not the first time the government of Maldives has issued a statement condemning the “India Out” campaign that had taken a violent turn on International Yoga Day last year, with protesters attacking the site of the official function being organised jointly by the two countries.