New Delhi, The diplomatic fallout between India and the Maldives deepened today as the Indian Ministry of External Affairs summoned Maldives High Commissioner Ibrahim Shaheeb. The summons follows what India perceives as “derogatory” remarks made against Prime Minister Narendra Modi by three deputy ministers in the Maldivian cabinet on the social media platform ‘X.’
The controversial comments specifically targeted PM Modi’s recent visit to Lakshadweep, suggesting it was an attempt to position the Union Territory as a competing tourist destination to the Maldives. In a swift response, the Maldivian government suspended the three ministers—Malsha Shareef, Mariyam Shiuna, and Abdulla Mahzoom Majid—from their posts, a move that further intensified the diplomatic rift.
The situation has prompted Indians to reportedly cancel planned trips to the Maldives, exacerbating the already strained ties. The Maldivian foreign ministry released a statement acknowledging the existence of “derogatory remarks” on social media against foreign leaders but emphasized that these expressions were personal and did not reflect the official position of the Maldivian government.
This latest development adds layers of complexity to the India-Maldives relationship, requiring nuanced diplomatic efforts to navigate through the growing tensions.
