Three Maldives ministers suspended for insulting Modi on social media
▶ Indian PM’s move to promote tourism in Lakshadweep seen as direct challenge to new government in Male
Maldives envoy Ibrahim Shaheeb met Indian Foreign Ministry officials in New Delhi yesterday amid a row over social media posts against Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Mr Modi’s recent visit to India’s Lakshadweep islands sparked the argument that saw three Maldives ministers suspended.
Relations between New Delhi and Male have been strained after a new government came to power in the Maldives in November, with some experts suggesting it leans towards China.
Lakshadweep is an archipelago of 36 islands in the Arabian Sea, with only 10 inhabited.
It is about 400km off the south-western coastal state of Kerala.
The federally ruled islands are known for their white sand beaches. Mr Modi’s government is attempting to encourage tourism to the area due to its similarities to the Maldives, despite it being an ecologically sensitive region.
Posts on social media showed Mr Modi snorkelling in the sea and urging “those who wish to embrace the adventurer in them” to add Lakshadweep to their list of travel destinations.
While his government did not make reference to the Maldives, many Indian social media users called for travellers to visit domestic islands instead of the popular Indian Ocean destination, prompting a fierce reaction that has escalated into a diplomatic row.
Three Maldivian ministers including Mariyam Shiuna, the Deputy Minister of Youth Empowerment, Information and Arts, allegedly called Mr Modi a “clown” and a “diver in a life jacket” in posts on X, that have since been deleted.
Another politician, Maaiz Mahmood, shared a picture – believed to actually be from Bora Bora islands in French Polynesia – with the caption: “Sunset in Maldives. You won’t see this in Lakshadweep.” He also tagged the Indian Prime Minister. Several Maldivian newspapers carried stories claiming that India had started a campaign against the island nation.
Supporters of Mr Modi have since called for a boycott of the Maldives, which attracts more than 200,000 Indian tourists a year, the Maldivian government said.
Travel website EaseMyTrip announced the suspension of all flight bookings to the Maldives and launched discount offers for Lakshadweep.
The Maldivian Foreign Ministry has since taken action, suspending three ministers.
“These opinions are personal and do not represent the views of the government of Maldives,” the Maldivian Foreign Ministry said.
“Moreover, the relevant authorities of the government will not hesitate to take action against those who make such derogatory remarks.”
The row could further strain ties between New Delhi and Male, which is believed to favour China as the nuclear power nations compete for influence in the region.
China is the Maldives’s largest external creditor, accounting for about 20 per cent of its total public debt.
The latest International Monetary Fund data shows the Maldives owes China about $1.3 billion.
The Maldives has been the biggest beneficiary of India’s Neighbourhood First Policy, receiving significant public welfare and humanitarian assistance from New Delhi.
The policy focuses on stability, prosperity, peace and improved ties with India’s immediate neighbours.
But newly elected Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu is seen as pro-Beijing.
After taking charge in November, he demanded the removal of 77 Indian security personnel and ordered a review of 100 agreements with New Delhi.
Yesterday, he was due to take part in an official state visit to China after an invitation from President Xi Jinping.