India summons Maldives envoy after ‘clown’, ‘puppet of Israel’ remarks for Modi
New Delhi: India has summoned the Maldives envoy after three ministers of the island nation made “derogatory” remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi with one of them describing Modi as ‘clown’ and a ‘puppet of Israel’.
According to Kashmir Media Service, a Maldivian lawmaker criticised Modi following his visit to Lakshadweep, a tropical archipelago of 36 atolls and coral reefs in the Laccadive Sea, off the coast of Kerala, India, inferring that New Delhi is attempting to project the Union Territory as an alternative tourist destination to the Maldives.
Two other Maldivian ministers also shared derogatory remarks along with PM Modi’s photos from Lakshadweep.
In order to prevent things from turning worse, the Maldivian foreign ministry said the government is aware of “derogatory remarks” on social media platforms against foreign leaders and that the personal views do not represent its position.
“The government of Maldives is aware of derogatory remarks on social media platforms against foreign leaders and high-ranking individuals. These opinions are personal and do not represent the views of the government of Maldives,” the Maldivian foreign ministry said in a statement on Sunday.
The three ministers India blamed for ‘derogatory remarks” include Maryam Shiuna, Malsha Shareef and Mahzoom Majid.
Notably, Mariyam Shiuna, was Muizzu’s spokesperson when she served as Mayor of Male, the country’s capital.
The post by Shiuna — which has now been deleted — featured the pictures of PM Modi from his recent visit to Lakshadweep. The Deputy Minister of Youth Empowerment, Information and Arts, referred to the Indian prime minister as a ‘clown’ and a ‘puppet of Israel’.
