Remarks on PM Modi: MEA calls Maldives envoy, raises concerns
Remarks do not represent views of Muizzu govt: Male to Indian diplomat.
3 min read
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu. (ANI file)The Ministry of External Affairs Monday called the High Commissioner of Maldives to India Ibrahim Shaheeb and conveyed its strong concerns over disparaging social media posts against Prime Minister Narendra Modi by three now-suspended ministers, as the backlash over the remarks continued for the second day.
In Male, the Maldivian government conveyed to the Indian High Commissioner, Munu Muhawar, that the remarks against Modi do not represent its views. Though the Maldivian media reported that Muhawar was summoned to the foreign ministry, the Indian High Commission said he had a “pre-arranged” meeting with Ambassador at Large Dr Ali Naseer Mohamed.
“High Commissioner Munu Mahawar had a pre-arranged meeting with Dr Ali Naseer Mohamed, the Ambassador at Large, at MoFA, Maldives, today to discuss bilateral issues,” it said in a post on X.
As the row escalated, India’s leading travel platform EaseMyTrip said it has suspended bookings to the Maldives.
#WATCH | Ibrahim Shaheeb, Maldives Envoy exits the MEA in Delhi’s South Block.
He had reached the Ministry amid row over Maldives MP’s post on PM Modi’s visit to Lakshadweep. pic.twitter.com/Dxsj3nkNvw
— ANI (@ANI) January 8, 2024
The Maldives government of President Mohamed Muizzu, whose party rode to power last year on an “India Out” poll campaign, suspended three ministers Sunday for making derogatory remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the people of India.
Ministers Mariyam Shiuna, Malsha Shareef, and Mahzoom Majid were suspended with immediate effect, hours after the Maldives government distanced itself from the remarks made by the ministers and MPs who joined a social media spat over Lakshadweep vs Maldives in the wake of Prime Minister Modi’s photographs from his Lakshadweep visit last week.
Sources said that the Indian High Commission in Male expressed concerns about the comments made in regard to Modi by certain ministers in the Maldives government with the foreign office Sunday.
President Muizzu was leaving for China Sunday on a state visit at the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Without naming its ministers or Modi, the Maldives government in a statement Sunday 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.”
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