The remarks were “racist,” according to former Maldivian deputy speaker Eva Abdulla, who also said that Indians were “rightfully angry.” Former Defence Minister Mariya Didi commended the defense relationship with India.

New Delhi: As the controversy around Mohamed Muizzu’s remarks disparaging Prime Minister Narendra Modi intensifies, Maldivian Member of Parliament Ali Azim has demanded that the president be removed. Meekail Naseem, another MP, has requested that Moosa Zameer, the foreign minister, be questioned by Parliament.

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The Democrats’ member Mr. Azim, who defected last year, asked the MDP, the biggest opposition party, to “start a vote of no-confidence” and demanded “all necessary steps to remove President Muizzu from power.” “Since there has been no action regarding the derogatory remarks made against Prime Minister Modi, his colleague Mr. Naseem has requested that Parliament summon the Foreign Minister.”

With this year’s general elections approaching, opposition politicians are intensifying their criticism of President Muizzu. Former defense minister and head of the MDP Mariya Ahmed Didi called India “our 911 call” and attacked the ruling party for its “short-sightedness” in possibly severing an “age-old relationship”. “We have always had an India-first policy.”

A second MDP politician, Ahmed Mahloof, the Minister of Youth and Sports, expressed concern that the Maldives’ economy would suffer a “huge impact” if Indian tourists continue to shun his nation, saying, “I am deeply worried… it will be hard to recover.”

The red flag raised by Mr. Mahloof was prompted by reports of a large number of cancellations by Indian visitors, who top the list of foreign visits in the Maldives in the post-COVID era and provide significant jobs and foreign exchange. The Maldives Association of Tourism Industry, the biggest trade association in the nation, denounced “derogatory comments” made about Prime Minister Modi.

Speaking out about the potential “huge impact” on the Maldives’ economy if Indian tourists continue to avoid his country, Ahmed Mahloof, the Minister of Youth and Sports and another MDP official, said, “I am deeply worried… it will be hard to recover.”

The reports of a high number of cancellations by Indian tourists, who lead the list of foreign visitors to the Maldives in the post-COVID era and contribute significantly to employment and foreign exchange, sparked the red flag raised by Mr. Mahloof. The largest commercial body in the country, the Maldives body of Tourism Industry, condemned “derogatory comments” made regarding Prime Minister Modi.

Foreign Minister Moosa Zameer stated on X that the ruling party is still “committed to fostering a constructive dialogue with all our partners, especially our neighbors,” and President Muizzu’s administration deemed the remarks “unacceptable.” Abdulla Mahzoom Majid, Mariyam Shiuna, and Malsha Shareef are the three ministers who have been placed on suspension.

The dispute started when PM Modi shared pictures and films that highlighted Lakshadweep’s tourism sector. A dramatic increase in interest in the union territory coincided with the emergence of the #BoycottMaldives movement on Twitter, which was partially sparked by posts from cricket players and Bollywood stars.

India’s response has been restrained; days after the controversy, New Delhi only called the Maldives envoy on Monday, and neither the Prime Minister nor Foreign Minister S Jaishankar has made any public remarks to date. Administrator of Lakshadweep Praful Patel told NDTV that the remarks “challenged” the dignity of India, but he dismissed suggestions of a formal apology.

The criticism of Mr. Modi highlights the tense relations between India and the Maldives since Mr. Muizzu, who was elected president on January 12 and was perceived as a pro-China leader, visited that nation on a state visit. Upon his arrival on Monday, he complimented Beijing as a “valued ally”. Although the state-run Global Times mentioned a “friendly and cooperative relationship” with the Maldives, the Chinese government has not responded formally.

SOURCE: https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/maldives-news-pm-modi-comments-remove-president-maldives-mp-ali-azim-demands-sacking-of-mohamed-muizzu-4827416