Two Maldivian ministers resigned on Tuesday, months after being suspended for allegedly making derogatory comments against Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The resignations come as Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu prepares for a possible visit to India. The ministers had been suspended in January, with one reportedly calling PM Modi a "clown."
A government official cited "personal reasons" for the ministers' resignations, though many believe the timing is linked to President Muizzu's upcoming diplomatic visit to New Delhi. In recent developments, India’s Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar visited the Maldives last month, marking the first high-level interaction between the two nations since India removed its troops from the archipelago in May.
The controversy began earlier this year when the ministers criticised PM Modi on social media, triggering a backlash from Indian celebrities who called for a tourism boycott, a major economic pillar for the Maldives. The situation further escalated when some Maldivian leaders accused PM Modi of promoting Lakshadweep as a competing tourist destination. The Maldivian leaders saw Modi’s promotion of Lakshadweep as an attempt to divert Indian tourists away from the Maldives.
The diplomatic strain between India and the Maldives stems from geopolitical tensions, with New Delhi wary of growing Chinese influence in Male. Historically, India has viewed the Maldives as being within its sphere of influence, and the Maldives remains a significant player in the region.
Since assuming office, President Muizzu, seen as pro-China, has softened his previously anti-India rhetoric and assured that his administration would not disrupt the regional balance by replacing Indian forces with Chinese troops. While Muizzu attended PM Modi’s inauguration in June, he has not yet made an official solo visit to India. His spokesperson, Heena Waleed, confirmed on Tuesday that Muizzu would travel to India "very soon."
