Maldives Ex-President Urges Muizzu Govt to Disown 'Appalling Language' on PM Modi

Former Maldives President Mohamed Nasheed has condemned derogatory remarks made by one of the country’s ministers against Prime Minister Narendra Modi as tensions continue to escalate between the two countries over the row on Lakshadweep islands.

In a post on X, Maldives Deputy Minister of Youth Empowerment Mariyam Shiuna used derogatory language against the Prime Minister. Her posts, which were taken down after backlash, came hours after another minister accused India of targeting the archipelago known for its beach tourism.

After the controversy over Maldivian ministers erupted, Indians have reportedly canceled their trips to the island nation. This incident seems to have triggered a ‘Boycott Maldives’ outcry on social media, with some ministers of the island country shaming Lakshadweep after many saw it as an alternative to the Maldives.

Nasheed said the language used by Minister Shiuna was “appalling”, stressing that India is a “key ally” for the security and prosperity of the country. He even asked Mohamed Muizzu’s government to distance itself from the comments made by Shiuna.

“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 Mohamed Muizzu government must distance itself from these comments and give clear assurance to India they do not reflect government policy (sic),” the Maldives’ first democratically-elected President, Nasheed, wrote on X.

The Maldives National Party also condemned “racist comments” made by the government official against Modi. “Maldives National Party condemns racist and derogatory comments made by a government official against a foreign head of State. This is unacceptable. We urge the government to take necessary action against those involved,” the party wrote on X.

This row comes amid strained ties between the two countries following President Mohamed Muizzu’s ascent to power in November last year. Muizzu, from the Progressive Alliance – a coalition of the Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) and the People’s National Congress (PNC), is considered pro-China. His opponent former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih had good ties with New Delhi and the bilateral relations progressed between the two nations under Solih’s rule. Muizzu is a close associate of former Maldives President Abdulla Yameen.

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The Prime Minister was in Lakshadweep in the first week of January to inaugurate the Kochi-Lakshadweep Islands Submarine Optical Fiber Connection and lay the foundation stone for the renovation projects. PM Modi went snorkelling and shared his “exhilarating experience” of the islands in the Arabian Sea. He said the government’s focus in Lakshadweep was to uplift lives through enhanced development. Lakshadweep is not just a group of islands; it’s a timeless legacy of traditions and a testament to the spirit of its people. My visit has been an enriching journey of learning and growing,” Modi said.