MALE, Maldives: Three deputy ministers in the Maldives have been suspended for making derogatory remarks about India and its Prime Minister, Narendra Modi.
The officials had responded to a social media post from Mr Modi, calling him a “clown”, “terrorist” and a “puppet of Israel”.
Following a backlash on Indian social media due to the remarks, a spokesperson from the foreign ministry clarified that they were personal and did not reflect the government’s stance.
“All government officials responsible for the comments have been suspended from their posts effective immediately”, a spokesperson for President Mohamed Muizzu’s office told the BBC.
Tensions arose between India and the island nation when, following Mr. Muizzu’s rise to power last year, he requested approximately 75 Indian troops to leave the country. The situation escalated further due to controversial remarks made by three suspended ministers: Malsha Shareef, Mariyam Shiuna, and Abdulla Mahzoom Majid. Despite widespread calls for their dismissal, the Maldivian media highlighted that the officials had only been suspended.
Mariyam Shiuna, Deputy Minister of Youth Empowerment in the #Maldives, had called Indian PM Modi a "clown" and "puppet" in now-deleted posts on X after Modi posted pictures of his visit to #Lakshadweep and pitched the island as a tourist destination for Indians. The tweets were… pic.twitter.com/8SIkP1QtnS
— World Times (@WorldTimesWT) January 8, 2024
The trio’s comments were in response to Mr. Modi’s post on X (formerly Twitter), promoting tourism to India’s Lakshadweep islands. Ms. Shiuna’s comparison of India to cow dung sparked outrage on Indian social media, resulting in hashtags like #BoycottMaldives and #ExploreIndianIslands trending. This uproar led some individuals to cancel their planned trips to the Maldives; notably, Indians formed a significant portion of the country’s tourists last year. The CEO of EaseMyTrip, an Indian ticket-booking site, announced the suspension of all flight bookings to the Maldives in response.
Renowned personalities such as Bollywood star Akshay Kumar and certain cricketers expressed disappointment over the comments. Former Maldivian president Ibrahim Mohamed Solih strongly condemned the “hateful language against India” used by the three officials. The Maldives, known for its stunning beaches, resorts, and coral islands, found itself embroiled in diplomatic tension due to this controversy.
“India has always been a good friend to Maldives, and we must not allow such callous remarks to negatively impact the age-old friendship between our two countries”, he said on X.
Maldives-India drama 🤪:
🔹The new President ran on an “India Out” platform — asking Indian troops to leave the island
🔹A deputy minister called Modi a “clown” and an “Israel puppet.” She got suspended
🔹Pres. Muizzu is visiting China now
🔹Indian tourists cancel their… pic.twitter.com/q2Er2iFREu
— S.L. Kanthan (@Kanthan2030) January 8, 2024
Mohamed Nasheed, a former president, condemned the language used in the deleted social media posts as “appalling.” The removal of the controversial posts followed public outcry. Additionally, the upcoming five-day state visit of Mr. Muizzu to China, considered a snub to India, precedes his visit to Turkey as his initial international engagement since assuming office. This sequence marks a departure from previous Maldivian leaders’ tradition of first visiting India post-election. The shift in diplomatic focus towards China is likely to be perceived as a setback for India, as it endeavors to counterbalance China’s expanding presence in the Indian Ocean region.
“It is for them to decide where they go and how they go about their international relations,” Indian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said last week in response to questions on Mr Muizzu’s visit to Beijing.
The absence of updates on the withdrawal of Indian troops from the Maldives was reiterated. India’s presence, justified as maintenance support for donated maritime rescue and surveillance aircraft, has sustained controversy in the Indian Ocean archipelago.
Deputy Minister in Maldives @shiuna_m is calling our Prime Minister Modi as “Clown” and “Puppet of Israel”.
The backlash by Indians is going to be very very HUGE.
Hope @DrSJaishankar @MEAIndia are also taking note ✔️ pic.twitter.com/s1ckxyQ89S
— Monica Verma (@TrulyMonica) January 6, 2024
Mr Muizzu’s expressed desire to shift away from India’s historical influence was evident, highlighted by the Maldivian government’s decision to terminate the bilateral agreement allowing Indian collaboration in seabed mapping within Maldivian territorial waters. This move, announced in December and marked by a decision to not renew the agreement expiring the following June, reflects a significant policy shift. Mr Muizzu, elected in October, vowed a thorough review of all preceding bilateral agreements with India, initiated during Mr Solih’s administration, which had favored an “India First” policy. The struggle for dominance between Delhi and Beijing in the strategically positioned islands remains a focal point.
