India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said on Friday that the relationship between India and the Maldives remains strong, dismissing recent online criticism from a relative of Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu as inconsequential.
The comments came in response to a now-deleted social media post, reportedly made by Muizzu’s brother-in-law Abdullah bin Mohammed Ibrahim, which had criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“I would prefer to look forward,” Misri said, calling the post one of many “passing remarks” that would not affect longstanding ties between the two countries.
“Our ties are strong enough to withstand some of these passing remarks that have been made and have also withstood the test of time,” he added during a press briefing.
Background of tension and recovery
The statement comes shortly after Prime Minister Modi’s visit to the Maldives, marking what appears to be an upswing in ties that had grown tense in 2023.
Muizzu’s road to the presidency was paved with his fiery “India Out” message. But once in office, the tone set the stage for tension. Things took a turn when his own team made public comments that didn’t sit well. One deleted social media post, in particular, ignited a storm of outrage.
When Indian tourists began avoiding the Maldives, it hurt a once-vibrant travel corridor. That boycott didn’t just impact tourism—it added fuel to already rising political tensions between the two governments.
Renewed efforts to restore diplomacy
Tensions began to ease in early 2024, as both countries took tentative steps back toward diplomacy.
PM Modi’s visit was a clear signal intended to reinforce this fragile progress. While there, he framed the connection as something timeless, describing it as “older than history and as deep as the sea.”
“India is the Maldives’ closest neighbour,” he said. “The Maldives holds an important place in both India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy and its Vision MAHASAGAR. India is proud to be the Maldives’ most trusted friend.”
President Muizzu also struck a conciliatory note, congratulating Modi on completing 4,078 consecutive days in office.
Looking forward
Misri, reflecting on developments since Muizzu’s India visit nearly a year ago, expressed confidence in the future of the bilateral partnership.
“By going with everything that has happened today and especially in the past 9–10 months… the future is undoubtedly and unquestionably bright,” he said.
While the deleted post briefly stirred headlines, both governments appear intent on moving beyond online controversies to focus on shared interests in regional cooperation and maritime security.
