1. Suspended Maldives Minister Mariyam Shiuna apologizes for a social media post controversy.
2. The deleted post depicted an opposition party’s campaign poster with the Indian flag motif.
3. Outrage ensued, prompting Shiuna to remove the post and issue an apology.
New Delhi, April 08: Suspended Maldives Minister Mariyam Shiuna has issued an apology following an uproar sparked by a social media post that allegedly disrespected the Indian national flag.
The post, now removed, featured an image showing an opposition party’s campaign poster with the party’s logo replaced by the Ashok Chakra on the Tricolour, ahead of parliamentary elections in the Maldives.
Shiuna, a member of Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu’s ruling party, utilized the deleted post to advocate for her party, expressing concerns about the opposition’s trajectory.
Indian social media users strongly criticized Shiuna’s post, urging President Muizzu to take decisive action against her. In response to the backlash, Shiuna promptly deleted the post and issued an apology.
In her statement, Shiuna expressed regret for any confusion or offense caused by the post, clarifying that the resemblance to the Indian flag was unintentional. She emphasized the deep-rooted respect for India within the Maldives and underscored the value placed on the bilateral relationship between the two nations.
Suspended Deputy Minister @shiuna_m deletes mis info post linking India & opposition party MDP ahead of Parliamentary polls. In the mis info post, she called on for people to vote for the ruling party, led by Prez Muizzu. https://t.co/qMfnYWxcSI
— Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) April 7, 2024
This incident occurred amidst a backdrop of diplomatic tensions between India and the Maldives, triggered in part by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Lakshadweep in January 2024.
During his visit, PM Modi’s social media promotion of Lakshadweep drew critical remarks from Maldivian officials, including Shiuna.
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Despite these tensions, India remains a vital economic partner for the Maldives, serving as a primary source of imports and crucial supplies such as rice and medicine. Recently, New Delhi renewed the quota for importing essential commodities to Male for the upcoming year.
However, there are indications of growing anti-India sentiment in the Maldives, particularly among factions advocating for an “India Out” stance due to concerns about India’s military presence and influence.
Concurrently, China‘s expanding investment and influence in the Maldives further complicate the regional dynamics for India.
Recently, the Maldives requested the withdrawal of Indian military personnel stationed in the country, initiating discussions between the two nations to find a mutually agreeable solution.
The phased withdrawal of Indian personnel commenced last month, with a deadline set for complete withdrawal by May.
