The government has refuted the authenticity of a letter circulating on social media, allegedly from the Minister of External Affairs of India Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, and addressed to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Maldives Abdulla Shahid.
In a press release, the government expressed concern that the alleged letter has been published in some online newspapers and stated that the contents of the letter in circulation are totally fabricated and unsubstantiated. It also strongly condemned the act of fabrication and false allegations in the alleged letter. It further described the timing of the act as aimed at misguiding public perception regarding the administration's strategic bilateral partnership with India, and purports to affect the outcome of the upcoming presidential election.
Furthermore, the government stated that it champions the fundamental right to freedom of expression, but strongly urged all media personnel to refrain from spreading false information and act more responsibly in line with journalistic standards and ethics accepted internationally as best practice.