Maldives president Mohammad Muizzu-led government distanced itself from the remarks of its minister
India expressed alarm on Sunday regarding the recent “derogatory” comments made against Prime Minister Narendra Modi by Mariyam Shiuna, the deputy minister of youth empowerment in the Maldives. According to the sources, the Indian High Commissioner in Male has brought up the issue with the Maldivian government. This happened as the administration of Maldives President Muhammad Muizzu disassociated itself from the statements made by one of its ministers.
“The administration thinks that the right to free speech should be used democratically, responsibly, and in a way that doesn’t incite hatred or harm the close ties between the Maldives and other countries,” the Maldives government statement continued.
The statement said, “The government’s appropriate authorities will not hesitate to take action against those who make such derogatory remarks.”
India-Maldives row: Top Points
- Following a minister’s disparaging remarks about Prime Minister Modi regarding his recent visit to the Union Territory of Lakshadweep, a major dispute broke out between India and the Maldives.
- Mariyam Shiuna, the deputy minister of youth empowerment in the Maldives, called Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi a “clown” and a “puppet.”
- The disparaging comments caused a great deal of outrage in India, where people demanded that travel to the Maldives be boycotted due to the country’s anti-Indian stance.
- As the controversy surrounding the issue intensified, former President Mohamed Nasheed of the Maldives denounced the minister’s comments and praised India as a “key ally” for the safety and well-being of the archipelago nation.
- Mohamed Nasheed posted on X (formerly Twitter) and said, “What appalling language by Maldives Government official Mariyam Shiuna towards the leader of a key ally, that is instrumental for the Maldives’ security and prosperity.”
- The former president continued, “The Mohamed Muizzu government must disassociate itself from these remarks and assure India that they do not represent government policy (sic).”
- The Mohammad Muizzu government, which was just elected, disavowed the minister’s comments on Sunday and declared that the appropriate authorities “will not hesitate to take action against those who make such derogatory remarks.”
- India expressed concern about the comments made against the country’s prime minister, and diplomatic channels are being used to convey India’s stance to Maldivian officials.
- The development occurs as a result of the fact that Mohammad Muizzu ran his election campaign on an anti-India platform, and ever since he was elected president, ties between the two countries have completely collapsed.
- The new Maldivian government is standing closer to the Arab world because Mohammad Muizzu’s first foreign visit was to Turkey, a country well-known for its anti-Indian sentiments.
India-Maldives row: Maldivian politicians react
Mariyam Shiuna’s comments caused a stir in the Maldives’ domestic political circles, with former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih denouncing the use of “hateful” language against India. “I denounce the Maldivian government officials’ use of derogatory language against India on social media. “We must not allow such insensitive remarks to negatively impact the long-standing friendship between our two countries. India has always been a good friend to the Maldives,” Ibrahim Mohamed Solih stated.
