The Maldives government recently took disciplinary action against three deputy ministers, Malsha Shareef, Mariyam Shiuna, and Abdulla Mahzoom Majid, who made derogatory comments about India’s Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, on social media. These officials, associated with the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Information, and Arts, were suspended for using terms like ‘clown,’ ‘terrorist,’ and ‘puppet of Israel’ in response to a video showcasing Modi’s visit to the Indian islands of Lakshadweep to promote local tourism.
The controversy has emerged at a time when the relationship between the Maldives and India has experienced some strains, with certain interpretations suggesting that Modi’s visit was an attempt to divert tourists from the globally popular Maldives, known for its 1,192 islands adorned with luxurious resorts.
The Indian High Commission in the Maldives reportedly expressed strong concerns over the comments made by the suspended Maldivian officials. The incident comes just ahead of President Mohamed Muizzu’s scheduled visit to China from January 8 to 12. It is noteworthy that Muizzu, who won the election last year, pledged to shift away from the Maldives’ ‘India first’ policy in a region where India and China vie for influence. As part of this policy change, he also committed to removing a small contingent of 75 Indian military personnel from the nation, which has a population of just over half a million people.
Several prominent Indians, including actor Akshay Kumar and cricketer Hardik Pandya, expressed dismay at the comments made by the now-suspended Maldivian officials. Notably, some Indians have been advocating for domestic tourism, promoting the hashtag #ExploreIndianIslands on social media. Figures like former cricketer Sachin Tendulkar and actor Salman Khan have encouraged people to explore Indian islands rather than opting for foreign vacations.
In response to the controversy, the Maldives’ Foreign Ministry stated that the government is aware of “derogatory remarks” against foreign leaders and emphasized that such comments would not be tolerated. Former Maldives President Ibrahim Solih, also commenting on the situation, stressed the enduring friendship between Maldives and India, highlighting India as a good friend to the Maldives. The incident has underscored the need to maintain a positive relationship and avoid any negative impact on the long-standing friendship between the two countries.