The Maldivian government has suspended three ministers, Maryam Shiuna, Malsha Shareef, and Mahzoom Majid, for their controversial social media posts targeting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and India. The posts, deemed insulting to India, triggered a massive public outcry, with some Indians claiming to have canceled their planned vacations to the Maldives.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Maldives issued a statement today, clarifying the government’s position on the matter. The statement emphasized that the derogatory remarks made on social media by individuals in government positions did not reflect the official stance of the Maldivian government. As a result, the ministers responsible for the posts have been suspended from their duties.
The controversy began when these ministers, along with other leaders in the Maldives, posted disrespectful comments against Prime Minister Modi in response to his social media updates from his recent visit to Lakshadweep. PM Modi’s posts, featuring snorkeling activities, quickly went viral, prompting suggestions from social media users to consider Lakshadweep as an alternative tourist destination to the Maldives.
Earlier in the day, the Maldivian government distanced itself from the remarks, labeling them as “personal opinions” that did not represent the official views of the government. The government stressed the importance of exercising freedom of expression democratically and responsibly, without spreading hatred or negativity that could harm diplomatic relations.
The statements drew widespread criticism within the Maldives, with opposition leaders and prominent figures condemning the use of “appalling language” against India, the Maldives’ closest neighbor. Former president Mohamed Nasheed and former Vice President Ahmed Adeeb were among those who spoke out against the derogatory comments, urging the government to distance itself from such rhetoric.
This development comes as a significant reassurance to India, which has been experiencing diplomatic tensions with the Maldives since President Mohamed Muizzu took office. President Muizzu, who had pledged to alter the Maldives’s “India first” policy and reduce the presence of Indian military personnel, chose Turkey as his first international visit, signaling a shift in diplomatic priorities.
Ties between the two nations had strained further with discussions about the withdrawal of Indian troops, stationed in the Maldives to operate gifted aircraft patrolling the maritime territory. The geographical similarities between Lakshadweep and the Maldives, both featuring low-lying islands, reefs, and pristine beaches, have fueled comparisons between the two tourist destinations. The recent suspension of the ministers involved in the social media controversy may serve to ease diplomatic tensions and promote a more constructive dialogue between India and the Maldives.