Maldives ministers, suspended after derogatory remarks against Modi, quit as Muizzu plans India visit – Firstpost

Ahead of his potential visit to New Delhi “very soon”, Maldivian president Mohamed Muizzu’s government on Tuesday announced that two junior ministers, who had allegedly used “derogatory remarks” against PM Modi, resigned on Tuesday
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Ahead of his potential visit to New Delhi “very soon”, Maldivian president Mohamed Muizzu’s government on Tuesday announced that two junior ministers, who had allegedly used “derogatory remarks” against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, resigned on Tuesday.

Pro-China President Muizzu, who suspended three ministers in January for their remarks – including one reportedly calling PM Modi a “clown” – is seeking to rebuild ties with New Delhi and is likely to visit India soon.

Confirming the same, Muizzu’s spokesperson Heena Waleed on Tuesday said that the Maldivian president will visit India “very soon” even as the exact date of his trip is still being finalised, with discussions ongoing to find a mutually convenient time for both countries’ leaders.

“The President is scheduled to visit India very soon,” The Sun Online quoted Waleed as saying.

“As you are aware, such trips are scheduled for a time of maximum convenience to leaders of the two countries. Discussions regarding this are in progress,” Waleed added.

Waleed announced Muizzu’s upcoming visit on the same day the two junior ministers – Mariyam Shiuna and Malsha Shareef – resigned from their positions.

According to AFP, citing a government official, both had resigned citing “personal reasons”.

Official sources said the resignations came ahead of a potential visit by Muizzu to New Delhi.

There was no immediate word on a third minister, who was also suspended in January.

The resignations also follow a visit last month by India’s foreign minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, his first trip to the archipelago nation since Male expelled Indian troops in May.

The now ex-ministers had criticised PM Modi on social media, sparking angry protests from Indian celebrities who called for a tourism boycott, the mainstay of the nation’s economy.

They criticised PM Modi following his visit to promote the Indian territory of Lakshadweep, a cluster of atolls just north of the Maldives, as a tourist destination.

PM Modi posted photographs of himself snorkelling, and suggested the islands should be on the must-visit list of any adventure-seeking tourist.

Muizzu travelled to India to attend PM Modi’s inauguration in June, but has not made a solo official visit.

Unlike his predecessors, he first visited Turkey and China after taking office.

Since Muizzu became president, relations with India have soured. Shortly after taking office, he requested the withdrawal of Indian military personnel managing aviation platforms donated by India, leading to the deployment of Indian civilians in their place.

The situation worsened when the three Maldivian deputy ministers made controversial remarks about India and PM Modi on social media, although the Maldives’ foreign ministry distanced itself from these comments.

India views the Maldives as a crucial maritime neighbor in the Indian Ocean, and the bilateral relationship, particularly in defence and security, had notably improved under former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.

Of late, Muizzu seems to have toned down his anti-Indian rhetoric and said he would not upend the regional balance by replacing Indian forces with Chinese troops.

With inputs from agencies

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