Maldives on the backfoot due to strong reaction in India. Temperatures are rising between India and Maldives over the objectionable comments made by a government minister Mariam Shiuna and other leaders during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Lakshadweep.
These statements are described as a big blow to the relations between the two countries. Moreover, it has continuously derailed since Mohammad Muizzu became the President. Many celebrities and common people in India are expressing their displeasure about this. #BycottMaldives is trending on social media platforms in India.
Affect on the Maldives
Meanwhile, the Maldives’ Mohammed Muizzoo government has started trying to compensate for the loss. The government first issued a statement distancing itself from the minister’s comments. After this, media reports quoting the government claimed that the people who made the comments had been suspended.
As per the report, the government of Maldives released a statement declaring that individuals who hold government positions and have made derogatory remarks about India on social media have been suspended. The Ministry of External Affairs has released a statement regarding the incident. According to media reports, apart from Maryam Shiuna, Malsha Sharif and Mahzoom Majid have also been suspended.
Statements of the leaders of the previous government of Maldives
The former deputy speaker confirmed the suspension of ministers. Former Deputy Speaker and MP of Maldives Eva Abdullah, while confirming the suspension of the ministers, has said that the government should apologize to the people of India. Eva Abdullah said, “We have been dependent on India for economic relations, social relations, health, education, business, tourism etc. People are aware of this and they are thankful for it. All political parties, including former ministers and coalition partners of the current government, have condemned the derogatory remarks.”
Before this, former President Mohammad Nasheed, former President Ibrahim Mohammad Solih and former Foreign Minister Abdullah Shahid condemned the statement and advised the current government.
Muizzu Policy
Before Muizzu, Ibrahim Mohammed Solih was the President of Maldives and his government had implemented the policy of ‘India First’. Whereas Muizzu had contested the elections with the slogan of ‘India Out’. After winning the victory, Muizzu’s decisions started showing increasing distance in the relations between the two countries. Muizzu is considered closer to China than India.
Foreign affairs experts criticized
On this matter, foreign affairs expert Robinder Sachdev said, this is condemnable. There is a section that is anti-India. India not only helps the economy through tourism. We also provide them with security. There was a coup in Maldives in 1988. India sent its troops and the coup was stopped within hours. Therefore India is for the national security of Maldives. There were occasions when the island experienced a severe shortage of water. India sent aircraft and our army with bottled water.
As per the foreign affairs experts MP Modi’s visit to Lakshadweep was to counter changing policies in Maldives. The result is a lot of Indian tourists cancelled hotel bookings and flights to Maldives. The tourists are diverting from Maldives to Lakshadweep, Andaman and Nicobar Islands and other beautiful beaches in India