Two Maldivian ministers resigned recently after being suspended in January for allegedly making derogatory remarks against Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The controversy stemmed from the ministers’ statements on social media, which included calling PM Modi a “clown.” These remarks sparked protests from Indian celebrities, urging a tourism boycott of the Maldives, which is heavily reliant on tourism.
The resignations come at a time when Maldives’ President, Mohamed Muizzu, is expected to visit India soon. Muizzu, considered pro-China, has been attempting to navigate delicate diplomatic ties between India and China. In recent months, India’s External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar visited the Maldives for the first time since the country’s expulsion of Indian troops in May, signaling a potential shift in relations.
India and the Maldives have long shared strong geopolitical ties. The Maldives, an archipelago of over 1,100 coral islands, is strategically important to India due to its location near vital shipping routes. India has traditionally viewed the Maldives as part of its sphere of influence, but concerns over Chinese involvement in the country have grown in recent years.
Muizzu’s upcoming visit to India is seen as a step towards mending relations, with the President softening his earlier anti-India stance. His administration now appears focused on maintaining a balance between both regional powers while preserving its sovereignty.
