India expressed alarm on Sunday at the recent “derogatory” comments made against Prime Minister Narendra Modi by Mariyam Shiuna, the deputy minister of youth empowerment in the Maldives. According to the sources, the Indian High Commissioner in Male has brought up the issue with the Maldivian authorities. This happened as the administration of Maldives President Muhammad Muizzu disassociated itself from the statements made by one of its ministers.
“The administration thinks that the right to free speech should be used democratically, responsibly, and in a way that doesn’t incite hatred or harm the close ties between the Maldives and other countries,” the Maldives government statement continued.
The statement said, “The appropriate government authorities will not hesitate to take action against those who make such derogatory remarks.”
Maldivian lawmakers respond:
Mariyam Shiuna’s comments caused a stir in the Maldives‘ domestic political circles, with former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih denouncing the use of “hateful” language against India. “I denounce the Maldivian government officials’ use of derogatory rhetoric against India on social media. “We must not allow such insensitive remarks to negatively impact the long-standing friendship between our two countries. India has always been a good friend to the Maldives,” Ibrahim Mohamed Solih stated.