Indian envoy holds 'pre-arranged' meeting with Maldivian government to discuss 'bilateral issues' amid diplomatic row

Amid an escalating diplomatic row, Indian High Commissioner to the Maldives Munu Mahawar had a “pre-arranged” meet with the foreign minister of Maldives on Monday.

High Commissioner Munu Mahawar had a pre-arranged meeting with H.E. Dr Ali Naseer Mohamed, Ambassador at Large, at MoFA, Maldives, today to discuss bilateral issues.

— India in Maldives (@HCIMaldives) January 8, 2024

Earlier in the day, India's Ministry of External Affairs summoned Maldivian envoy Ibrahim Shaheeb amid the ongoing controversy over derogatory and offensive comments against Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, following his visit to Lakshadweep and his push to promote tourism in the archipelago.

The row between India and Maldives started from social media after several Maldivian ministers posted insulting remarks against PM Modi, with one minister calling him a "clown" and a "puppet" after promoting tourism in the Union Territory.

Also Read: WATCH: India summons Maldives envoy as diplomatic row escalates after ministers' remarks against PM Modi

“What a clown. The puppet of Israel Mr. Narendra diver with life jacket," posted Mariyam Shiuna, Maldives’ Deputy Minister of Youth Empowerment, Information and Arts.

A member of the ruling Progressive Party of Maldives also shared a photograph, believed to be that of the Bora Bora islands in the French Polynesia, claiming it was an image of an island resort in the Maldives. “Sun set in Maldives. You won’t see this in Lakshadweep. #Visit Maldives. CC: @narendramodi” (sic), wrote Maaiz Mahmood.

Maldives government has sacked three of its minister - Malsha Shareef, Mariyam Shiuna and Abdulla Mahzoom Majid - and said in a statement that their remarks were their "personal" views and did not represent the country.

Meanwhile, several Indians started trending 'Boycott Maldives' on social media after the remarks went viral, comparing Lakshadweep with the Maldives and they also slammed Maldives.

Many of Maldivian politicians, including former Presidents Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and Mohamed Nasheed, condemned the ministers' remarks, highlighting that such statements should not damage the "age-old" friendship between the two nations.

With inputs from agencies