Maldives suspends ministers over remarks row; former Prez, FM laud India as 'time tested friend'

Maldives has suspended its ministers whose controversial social media posts against India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent visit to Lakshadweep triggered a massive diplomatic row between the two countries. Earlier in the day, Indian High Commissioner had taken up the matter with Male.

New Delhi:Shortly after the Indian High Commissioner took up the matter of controversial comments by Maldivian ministers and politicians mocking Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent visit to Lakshadweep, the government of the island nation suspended three ministers whose social media posts sparked the row.

"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs today issued a statement on the stand of the Government of India in relation to some posts on social media that are insulting to neighbouring India," the Maldives government said in a statement. "Those who made such posts on social media while in government positions have now been suspended from their jobs," the statement said. Those suspended include ministers Maryam Shiuna, Malsha Shareef and Mahzoom Majid.

Earlier, Maryam Shiuna, in her tweet, used objectionable language against PM Modi. On a similar note, the spokesperson of the Male City Council and Maldivian Deputy Minister of Youth Empowerment had also made bigoted remarks against PM Modi. Although the post by Shiuna was deleted after a couple of hours, it had already worsened the already strained diplomatic ties between India and Maldives.

In its first statement on the row, the government of Maldives said the controversial remarks by the politicians were 'personal opinions' and did not represent the government's views. The Maldives government added that it "will not hesitate to take action" against those who made such remarks.

"The Government of Maldives is aware of derogatory remarks on social media platforms against foreign leaders and high-ranking individuals. These opinions are personal and do not represent the views of the Government of Maldives...Moreover, the relevant authorities of the Government will not hesitate to take action against those who make such derogatory remarks," read the official statement.

Former Maldives President Mohamed Nasheed condemned the derogatory remarks made by the Maldives politicians and urged President Mohamed Muizzu to distance the government from the comments.

He said that India is "instrumental" in Maldives' security and prosperity and asked Muizzu to give assurance to New Delhi that the comments don't reflect government policy. "What appalling language by Maldives Government official @shiuna_m towards the leader of a key ally, that is instrumental for Maldives' security and prosperity. @MMuizzu gov must distance itself from these comments and give clear assurance to India they do not reflect gov policy," Nasheed posted on X.

Former Maldives Foreign Minister Abdullah Shahid said the derogatory comments by the ministers were "reprehensible and odious". "Derogatory remarks made by 2 Deputy Ministers of the current #Maldives Government, and a member of a political party in the ruling coalition, towards Prime Minister @narendramodi and the people of India on social media is reprehensible and odious," Shahid said in a post on X.

"I call on the Government to reprimand these officials. Public figures must maintain decorum. They must accept that they are no longer social media activists and that they are now entrusted with the responsibility of protecting the interests of the people and the country. India is a time tested friend and an unwavering ally. They have historically been the first to respond in our time of need. Our close relationship has been bound by mutual respect, history, culture and strong people-to-people relations," he added.

The Maldives National Party also strongly criticized the "racist and derogatory comments" made by the government official, labeling them as unacceptable and urging the government to take necessary action against those involved.

“Maldives National Party condemns racist and derogatory comments made by a government official against a foreign head of State. This is unacceptable. We urge the government to take necessary action against those involved”, MNP posted.

Maldivian President Muizzu took over as President in November 2023. In his election campaign, he said he would remove a small contingent of some 75 Indian military personnel in his island nation and change Maldives's "India first" policy.

Muizzu is scheduled to visit China on Monday, the Chinese foreign ministry said in a statement. Chinese President Xi Jinping invited him, and both sides are expected to reach a series of cooperative agreements in the fields of politics, economy, culture, and green development, as well as to promote the bilateral relationship to a new level.

Read More