Three ministers from the Maldives government were suspended after comments against India and Prime Minister Modi. Here's a lowdown on the issue and the response on it
Agatti beach, Lakshadweep, India. Image: Shutterstock
“For those who wish to embrace the adventurer in them, Lakshadweep has to be on your list,” read Prime Minister Modi’s caption on Instagram with an image of him on the beach, uploaded on January 5. The rather ordinary image has sparked controversy and a potential rift between India and Maldives.
The controversy began when three deputy ministers in the Ministry of Youth Affairs in Maldives---Maryam Shiuna, Malsha Shareef, and Mahzoom Majid---made negative comments about India and the Prime Minister following his recent visit to Lakshadweep.
On X, formerly known as Twitter, Shiuna referenced India’s connections with Israel. Her colleagues subsequently chimed in, suggesting that the Indian Prime Minister’s visit to Lakshadweep was intended to pose a challenge to Maldivian tourism, known for its renowned beachside amenities.
The Indian government raised the issue with Maldives, after which the Maldives government suspended the three ministers. In a statement, the Maldives government said, “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.” The Maldives government further said that it “believes in freedom of expression but that has to be exercised in a responsible manner.”