WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH MALDIVES

It all began on January 4, 2024 when the Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi visited Lakshadweep and posted pictures of his visit and the beautiful scenic views he witnessed there.

People started reacting to the pictures, appreciating his initiative to increase the tourism, commenting that he’s enjoying well etc. He has never mentioned about Maldives anywhere in his posts, social media anywhere. But, people just started questioning as to why should they visit Maldives when there’s such a pristine holiday destination in our Nation itself.

There’s also a context to this. A change in government propped up an anti-India camp to power in the Maldives. President Mohamed Muizzu is seen as a pro-China man who, along with former President Abdullah Yameen, fronted the 'India Out' campaign during elections in the archipelagic state. A massive social media war led to three Maldivian deputy ministers and a few MPs using derogatory language against PM Modi. What was a war among trolls was elevated to a diplomatic situation. India had to respond.

Maldives High Commissioner to India, Ibrahim Shaheeb, was summoned to the Ministry of External Affairs and informed about India’s strong concerns over comments by certain Maldivian ministers against PM Modi. Treading a cautious line, the Muizzu administration indefinitely suspended three of the officials. India Today was in Male and we discovered that many Maldivians were unhappy with the turn of events.