Foreign Minister Moosa Zameer has said that it is unacceptable for three deputy ministers to make derogatory remarks about Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on social media and that steps have been taken to ensure it does not repeat.
Speaking to Asian News International (ANI) on the sidelines of his current visit to India, Zameer said that the remarks made by the deputy ministers do not reflect the stand of the Maldivian government.
"And we believe it shouldn't have been done. And then we are taking proper action to make sure this doesn't repeat," he was quoted as saying.
On January 7, 2024, the government suspended three deputy ministers at the Youth Ministry for making derogatory remarks about Modi. They were Malsha Shareef, Mariyam Shiuna and Mahzoom Majid.
The issue escalated and on January 8, India summoned Maldives Ambassador Ibrahim Shaheeb to the External Affairs Ministry. Indian Ambassador Munu Mahawar was also summoned to the Foreign Ministry on the following day.
In his interview, Zameer added that although there were still differences of opinion between the Indian and Maldivian public on social media, an agreement has been reached between the two governments on this issue.
Maldivian politicians had also condemned the mockery of Modi. They include the opposition party's Chairperson Fayyaz Ismail, former President Mohamed Nasheed and former MP Faris Maumoon.
