On derogatory words on PM Modi, Maldives minister says, ‘Won’t happen again'

The conflict between India and Maldives began in January this year goes beyond three political activists, who are now state officials, making disrespectful remarks against PM Modi.

Maldives foreign minister Moosa Zameer, during his first official visit to India, clarified on Thursday that the Mohamed Muizzu government did not support the derogatory comments made by some of the Maldivian ministers against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He added that the remarks did not represent the government's stance and that “proper action” was taken to prevent such incidents in the future.

“I think if you have seen as you said, we have said that it's not the stand of the government or we believe that it shouldn't have been done. We are taking proper action to make sure that this doesn’t get repeated. There has been a misunderstanding, in social media. The governments of Maldives and India understand what has happened and we have passed that stage now.” Minister Zameer said to ANI.

Shortly after when three Deputy Ministers made disrespectful remarks against PM Modi, the Ministers Mariyam Shiuna, Mahzoom Majid, and Malsha Shareef were suspended indefinitely. Wonder why Indian News find the fact that the three continue to receive their salaries beguiling and Minister Zameer's statements predominated by artifice?

Mutual interest, reciprocal sensitivity basis of ties: Jaishankar tells Maldives

Zameer is the first Maldivian state official to visit New Delhi after President Mohamed Muizzu took steps to move the Indian Ocean archipelago closer to China and reduce its dependence on India in areas ranging from food security to defence cooperation.

His visit also coincided with a deadline set by Muizzu for withdrawing of more than 80 Indian military personnel who were stationed in the Maldives to operate two helicopters and an aircraft mainly used for medical evacuations and humanitarian operations. India has already pulled out 51 personnel in two batches in March and April, yet replacing them with personnel without uniform, as "civilian experts".

“As close and proximate neighbours, the development of our ties is obviously based on mutual interests and reciprocal sensitivity,” Jaishankar pointedly said in his opening remarks at the meeting with Zameer. Indian External affairs minister S Jaishankar was not seemingly seen smiling though!

“As far as India is concerned, these are articulated in terms of our Neighbourhood First policy and SAGAR [Security and Growth for All in the Region] vision,” he said, adding he hoped the meeting would enable the two sides to “strengthen the convergence of our perspectives in various domains”.

“We have also extended financial support on favourable terms in the past,” Jaishankar said, in a tacit reference to debt traps created by Chinese projects undertaken through the Belt and Road Initiative.

“India has been a first responder on numerous occasions for the Maldives... ", noting that the world is passing through a volatile and uncertain period, Jaishankar said: “In such times, as we saw during Covid, during natural disasters and economic difficulties, close partnerships with neighbours are of great value.”

The foreign ministry of Maldives said both sides discussed ways to “forge opportunities for future collaboration in government priority areas”. They also acknowledged the “notable progress of projects facilitated through Indian grant assistance and line of credit initiatives” and the dialogue underscored a “partnership built on mutual trusts, shared interests and values”.

Minister Zameer said The dialogue underscored a “partnership built on mutual trusts, shared interests and values”.

He also said "last eight months... we are going through election cycles, so there has been much said... so I think we will move beyond that phase pretty soon".