A diplomatic controversy has erupted between India and Maldives after some Maldivian ministers publicly mocked Prime Minister Narendra Modi on social media.
The incident started when an Indian user commented on Twitter that the Maldives was a “Chinese puppet” and promoted Lakshadweep as a better tourist destination. In response, Maldives’ Deputy Youth Minister Mariyam Shiuna and two other ministers, Abdulla Mahzoom Majid and Malsha Shareef, used objectionable language against PM Modi.
The Indian High Commission in Male immediately raised the issue strongly with the Maldivian Foreign Ministry. This prompted the Maldives government to suspend the three ministers and distance itself from their “personal comments”.
However, the damage seems to have already been done. Over 200,000 Indian tourists visit the Maldives annually. The tropical nation relies heavily on high-end Indian travellers. The remarks have hence understandably caused outrage in India.
Several Indian actors, sportspeople and netizens have called for boycotting Maldives as a tourist destination. The hashtag #BoycottMaldives has been trending on Indian social media. This could significantly impact the island nation’s tourism-based economy.
The incident is also a setback for the traditionally close relationship between India and Maldives. PM Modi has invested personal diplomatic capital in reviving ties with Male under his “Neighbourhood First” policy in the last few years. His recent visit to promote Lakshadweep’s tourism potential seems to have provoked unnecessary envy and insecurity amongst certain sections of Maldives’ political leadership.
While the Maldives government has reaffirmed its “India First” policy, the damage from such high-level public insults against the leader of India may be difficult to undo overnight. Indian authorities will hope this incident remains an aberration in the larger relationship. But they have conveyed that malicious remarks against PM Modi will not be taken lightly.
The coming days will be crucial in bringing bilateral ties between the two Indian Ocean neighbours back on an even keel.
