Row erupts over Maldives minister’s remarks on PM Modi’s Lakshadweep visit; celebrities react

Chandigarh, January 7

A controversy has erupted in the aftermath of Maldives Deputy Minister of Youth Empowerment, Mariyam Shiuna’s now-deleted social media post, where she made derogatory remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The post featured images of PM Modi’s recent visit to Lakshadweep, where Shiuna labelled him as a ‘clown’ and a ‘puppet of Israel’.

The situation escalated after several Maldives ministers went on to claim that Indian beaches fell short of the cleanliness standards maintained by their Maldivian counterparts.

The tension, stemming from PM Modi’s visit to Lakshadweep on January 2, has led to the cancellation of planned visits by numerous Indians, including Bollywood stars, to the neighbouring nation.

PM Modi, who shared his ‘exhilarating experience’ of snorkeling during his visit, had posted a series of pictures on the social media platform X. He expressed admiration for the stunning beauty of Lakshadweep’s islands, the warmth of its people, and urged adventure enthusiasts to consider adding Lakshadweep to their travel list.

The controversy surrounding Shiuna’s remarks has sparked widespread debate, with Indian celebrities expressing their views on social media.

Tensions in India-Maldives relations have escalated following the election of President Mohamed Muizzu who is known for his pro-China stance.

Maldives is an island nation. A large number of Indian tourists visit the nation for its natural beauty.