The Maldives government on Sunday distanced itself from derogatory remarks made by its minister Mariyam Shiuna against Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

In a statement, the government said the ‘opinions are personal and do not represent the views of the Government of Maldives’.

“The government believes that the freedom of expression should be exercised in a democratic and responsible manner, and in ways that do not spread hatred, negativity, and hinder close relationships between the Maldives and international partners,” the Maldives government statement added.

“The relevant authorities of the government will not hesitate to take action against those who make such derogatory remarks,” the statement added.

Former Vice President Ahmed Adeeb “strongly condemned” the derogatory and racist comments made by a group of Maldivian politicians towards prime minister Modi.

"We established the Maldives tourism industry based on the principles of hospitality, tolerance, peace, and harmony. Through strategic positioning and collaborations with global brands and investments, including those from India, we have successfully positioned Maldives as a premier luxury resort destination,” Adeeb said.

“I strongly condemn any derogatory and racist comments made by a group of Maldivian politicians towards His Excellency PM Modi @PMOIndia and beloved citizens of India,” he added.

He commended the Maldives Government for distancing itself from the views expressed by these officials and emphasizing that they do not reflect the government’s position.

“Considering the global economic challenges and the vulnerability of the Maldives tourism industry and economy, it is crucial for us to maintain a friendly and humble approach while fostering positive relations, with all nations,” he posted on X.

Maldives National Party in a post on X wrote that it “condemns racist and derogatory comments made by a government official” against a foreign leader.

"This is unacceptable. We urge the government to take necessary action against those involved,” it added.

A massive controversy erupted after a series of posts on X this weekend from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, promoting tourism in Lakshadweep islands, to set off a social media war between from Maldivian politicians, government officials and Indian social media users.

In a post referring to his visit to the Union Territory earlier this week, the Prime Minister spoke about “the stunning beauty of its islands”, adding, “For those who wish to embrace the adventurer in them, Lakshadweep has to be on your list.”

Soon after PM Modi’s post, some prominent Maldivian social media users responded to it with offensive and derogatory comments targeted at Indians at large, as well as the prime minister. Among them was Mariyam Shiuna, Maldives’ Deputy Minister of Youth Empowerment, Information and Arts, who wrote: “What a clown. The puppet of Israel Mr. Narendra diver with life jacket. #VisitMaldives #SunnySideOfLife”.

However, the minister deleted the X post soon after outrage over the remark that triggered a massive backlash on social media.

The Indian High Commissioner has taken up the matter with the Mohamed Muizzu-led government in Male.

Former Maldives President Mohamed Nasheed too condemned Mariyam Shiuna's derogatory remarks against PM Modi, calling it "appalling language".

"What appalling language by Maldives Government official Mariyam Shiuna towards the leader of a key ally, that is instrumental for the Maldives’ security and prosperity. The Mohamed Muizzu government must distance itself from these comments and give clear assurance to India they do not reflect government policy (sic)," Nasheed wrote on X.

Despite the backlash, Mariyam Shiuna repeated derogatory remarks against PM Modi in multiple social media interactions.

Apart from Shiuna, other Maldives officials, including MP Zahid Rameez, mocked Prime Minister Modi's visit to Lakshadweep after the photographs gained wide attention on social media, with many comparing it to the Maldives.

“The move is great. However, the idea of competing with us is delusional. How can they provide the service we offer? How can they be so clean? The permanent smell in the rooms will be the biggest downfall,” posted Zahid Rameez, a party member of the Progressive Party of Maldives, and a senate member.

In response to the Indian government’s attempts at promoting tourism in the Lakshadweep, officials in the Maldives and supporters of the ruling coalition of the Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) and People’s National Congress (PNC) have pushed a #VisitMaldives hashtag – featuring photos of holiday resorts, beaches and hotels in the country. Some Maldivian social media users have gone so far as to claim that Lakshadweep is not Indian territory and belongs to the Maldives

These remarks invited sharp criticism against the Maldivian officials, with several people calling to "boycott the Maldives".

Following the campaign against tourism in the Lakshadweep, on Sunday afternoon, Bollywood celebrities and prominent Indian sportspersons began a ‘Visit Lakshadweep’ campaign. In a post on X, actor Akshay Kumar openly referenced the comments “from prominent public figures from Maldives passing hateful and racist comments on Indians.” Kumar wrote, “Surprised that they are doing this to a country that sends them the maximum number of tourists. We are good to our neighbours but why should we tolerate such unprovoked hate. I’ve visited the Maldives many times and always praised it, but dignity first. Let us decide to #ExploreIndianIslands and support our own tourism.”

According to the Maldives’ official government figures, Indian tourists have consistently remained among the top ten nationalities who travel to the island every year. In 2023 alone, among the tourists who travelled to the Maldives, Indians formed the largest group of tourists with over 200,000 travellers, followed by tourists from Russia and China. The Maldives is heavily dependent on tourism and the industry accounts for over 28 percent of its GDP, according to a paper by the Michigan State University.

India-Maldives ties in the past few months have been strained, after President Mohamed Muizzu came to power.

In his election pledge, Mr Muizzu had said he would remove a small contingent of some 75 Indian military personnel in the Maldives, and also revise his nation's "India-first" policy.

Mr Muizzu is scheduled to visit China on Monday, the Chinese foreign ministry said in a statement. Chinese President Xi Jinping invited him, China's foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said on Friday.

Mr Muizzu, who is seen as a pro-China politician, had defeated his India-friendly predecessor Ibrahim Mohamed Solih in the presidential run-off held in September.

"China and the Maldives boast time-honoured friendship. In the past 52 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties, the two countries have treated each other with respect and supported each other, setting a fine example of equality and mutual benefits between countries of different sizes," said Wang Wenbin, another spokesperson of the Chinese foreign ministry, according to news agency PTI.

Mr Muizzu's predecessors in the recent past visited India first, considering the wide-ranging bilateral ties and the Maldives' proximity to India, followed by China, which has expanded its influence in the island nation by investing in major infrastructure projects there.

The new Maldives President had met PM Modi in Dubai on the sidelines of the COP28 climate talks in December 2023. Both leaders had agreed to set up a core group to discuss the multidimensional relations and further deepen ties.

The meeting also took place after Mr Muizzu asked India to withdraw 77 Indian military personnel from the Maldives and decided to review more than 100 bilateral agreements between the two countries.

The new Maldives Vice President Hussain Mohamed Latheef last month visited China, his first visit abroad, and took part in the China-sponsored China-Indian Ocean Region Forum on Development Cooperation in Kunming.

Significantly, while praising Chinese infrastructure projects, Mr Latheef made no mention of China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) under which most of the Maldives' infrastructure projects were built.

The Maldives is India's key maritime neighbour in the Indian Ocean Region and occupies a special place in India's initiatives such as SAGAR, or Security and Growth for All in the Region, and the 'Neighbourhood-First Policy' of the Modi government.

The Maldives' proximity to India, barely 70 nautical miles from the island of Minicoy in Lakshadweep, and 300 nautical miles from the mainland's western coast, and its location at the hub of commercial sea lanes running through the Indian Ocean, gives it significant strategic importance.