The Maldives’ envoy has been called by India after three of the island nation’s ministers disparaged Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Following his visit to Lakshadweep, a Maldivian lawmaker criticized PM Modi, implying that New Delhi is trying to position the Union Territory as a tourist destination that is different from the Maldives. PM Modi’s Lakshadweep photos were shared with disparaging remarks by two other Maldivian ministers.

Following the remarks, there was a great deal of indignation in the Maldives, with a number of well-known leaders denouncing the criticism of the country’s “closest neighbour”. Mohamed Nasheed, the former president of the Maldives, called the remarks “appalling” and requested that President Mohamed Muizzu’s administration retract them.

According to the foreign ministry of the Maldives, the government is aware of “derogatory remarks” made against foreign leaders on social media, but the remarks are personal opinions and do not reflect the government’s stance.

“The Maldivian government is aware of disparaging comments made on social media sites about foreign dignitaries and prominent figures. The Maldivian foreign ministry stated in a statement on Sunday that “these opinions are personal and do not represent the views of the government of the Maldives.”

Maryam Shiuna, Malsha Shareef, and Mahzoom Majid, the three ministers, were suspended after a number of Indians on social media said they had canceled their planned trip to the country, which is composed of more than a hundred islands dotted with opulent resorts.