What led to the spat between India and the Maldives? What has happened since then?

#BoycottMaldives, #ExploreIndianislands… If you are on social media, it would be hard to miss these trends, which have gone viral over the weekend. Celebrities, businessmen and other Indians are raging against the Maldives, the scenic country, after three ministers in the new Dr Mohamed Muizzu-led Cabinet made derogatory comments about Prime Minister Narendra Modi and India.

The comments have led to a row between the two countries, ties between which have already been strained since Muizzu’s ascent to power.

But what exactly led to this row? And what has happened since? Read our full explainer here.

The tweet that started it all

Last Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi travelled to Lakshadweep, the country’s smallest Union Territory, in a move that was seen by many as a way to promote tourism on the island. While there, PM Modi shared a few photos of the picturesque archipelago, including him walking on the beach as well as enjoying snorkelling.

In a post on X, the PM wrote of the stunning beauty of its islands”, adding that “for those who wish to embrace the adventurer in them, Lakshadweep has to be on your list.”

Recently, I had the opportunity to be among the people of Lakshadweep. I am still in awe of the stunning beauty of its islands and the incredible warmth of its people. I had the opportunity to interact with people in Agatti, Bangaram and Kavaratti. I thank the people of the… pic.twitter.com/tYW5Cvgi8N

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 4, 2024

However, it seemed that this on post set off a firestorm, which eventually led to the suspension of three Maldivian ministers.

Hate posts from the Maldives

However, a single post from PM Modi elicited strong reactions from some people online. Some prominent Maldivian social media users reacted to the post with offensive, racist, xenophobic and derogatory comments.

Among them were Maldivian ministers Mariyam Shiuna, Malsha Shareef, and Mahzoom Majid. Shortly after PM Modi posted, Mariyam Shiuna, Maldives’ deputy minister of youth empowerment, information and arts, wrote, “What a clown. The puppet of Israel Mr. Narendra diver with life jacket. #VisitMaldives #SunnySideOfLife.” She also compared India to cow dung in a post, which has since been deleted.

And she wasn’t alone. Malsha Sharif, a part of the Maldives’ ministry of youth empowerment, information and arts, also posted disparaging comments against India.

And it quickly snowballed into a larger issue with some of the local media in Maldives reporting that India had started a campaign against tourism in the Maldives. And this prompted others to chime in, comparing the Maldives with Lakshadweep islands.

Zahid Rameez, a party member of the Progressive Party of Maldives, and a senate member, wrote on X, “The move is great. However, the idea of competing with us is delusional. How can they provide the service we offer? How can they be so clean? The permanent smell in the rooms will be the biggest downfall.”

India expresses anger

However, the posts from people in the Maldives, especially the politicians didn’t sit well with India and soon there was a call for the boycott of the Maldives, especially from celebrities.

For instance, Akshay Kumar posted on X, “Came across comments from prominent public figures from Maldives passing hateful and racist comments on Indians. Surprised that they are doing this to a country that sends them the maximum number of tourists. We are good to our neighbours but why should we tolerate such unprovoked hate? I’ve visited the Maldives many times and always praised it, but dignity first. Let us decide to #ExploreIndianIslands and support our own tourism.”

Kangana Ranaut also took offence to Rameez’s tweet alluding to ‘smells in the room’, writing that it smacked of Muslim phobia.

Smell?? Permanent smell?? What!!! Suffering from massive Muslim phobia, even though belonging to the same community. Lakshadweep consists of 98 percent of Muslim population, this prominent public figure from Maldives calling them smelly and lowly is rather racist and uninformed.… pic.twitter.com/hLbQvD5RYD

— Kangana Ranaut (@KanganaTeam) January 7, 2024

Indian cricket all-rounder Hardik Pandya also expressed concern, saying his next holiday destination would be Lakshadweep.

Extremely sad to see what’s being said about India. With its gorgeous marine life, beautiful beaches, Lakshadweep is the perfect get away spot and surely a must visit for me for my next holiday #ExploreIncredibleIndia pic.twitter.com/UA7suQArLB

— hardik pandya (@hardikpandya7) January 7, 2024

Even India Inc batted for the country, with many criticising and supporting the boycott. In fact, Kunal Bahl, the CEO of Snapdeal said, “#Maldives is overrated and unnecessarily ultra expensive. There. I said it,” adding, “#Lakshadweep has the chance to build more similar supply in the region and make it more accessible for a broader audience.”

Moreover, EaseMyTrip, an Indian travel company, has decided to suspend all Maldives flight bookings following the derogatory remarks made by ministers, now suspended.

The Indian High Commission in the Maldives also took a stance against the tweets, raising concerns about them with the Foreign Office on Sunday.

Minister of State in the External Affairs Ministry Meenakshi Lekhi reacting to the controversy, said, “I don’t give much credence to such people. The evolutionary history of India can only be appreciated by the ones who are evolved enough in their spiritual and mental space.”

And on Monday morning, India summoned Maldives envoy Ibrahim Shaheeb over the row.

The Maldives takes action

Following the anger from India, the Maldives government went into damage control with the Muizzu government distancing itself from the remarks. The Maldivian foreign ministry said that “it believes in freedom of expression but that has to be exercised in a responsible manner”.

“These opinions are personal and do not represent the views of the Government of Maldives. Moreover, the relevant authorities of the Government will not hesitate to take action against those who make such derogatory remarks.”

However, later, the three Maldivian ministers – Maryam Shiuna, Malsha Shareef and Mahzoom Majid – were suspended.

Former Maldives president Mohamed Nasheed, who was pro-India during his tenure, expressed concern about the tweets, saying it was appalling for an official to use such language towards a leader of an ally. “What appalling language by Maldives government official Mariyam Shiuna towards the leader of a key ally, that is instrumental for Maldives’ security and prosperity. The Mohamed Muizzu government must distance itself from these comments and give clear assurance to India they do not reflect government policy,” Nasheed said in a post on X.

Also read: Former Maldives vice president decries disparaging comments against PM Modi

Even former foreign minister and former president of the UN General Assembly Abdulla Shahid condemned the comments, describing them as “reprehensible and odious”. “I call on the Government to reprimand these officials. Public figures must maintain decorum,” Shahid said.

Eva Abdulla, the former deputy speaker of the island nation and a sitting MP, was also quoted as telling NDTV, “Indians are rightfully angry. The comments made are outrageous. However, the comments are in no way a reflection of the opinion of the Maldivian people. I’d like to apologise personally to the people of India for the shameful comments made.”

A sign of worsening ties

For many, the row is a sign of the worsening ties between India and the Maldives, which has only heightened since Muizzu came to power. Since Muizzu became president, he has been working hard on one of his campaign promises – making India withdraw its personnel posted in Maldives.

Earlier, the Maldives also announced that it would not renew a bilateral hydrographic survey agreement that would expire this year.

Also read: How the invisible hand of Modi’s diplomacy dealt with anti-India Maldives regime

Muizzu also is seen as being pro-China; the new Maldivian president is set to travel to the Asian country, starting today – 8 January.

It’s important to note that the Chinese state media outlet Global Times also reported on the current spat between India and the Maldives. In fact, it praised Muizzu’s foreign policy and said, “It only demonstrates that Muizzu is treating India with a normal mind-set and steering the relationship between the Maldives and India to a normal state-state relationship.”

With inputs from agencies