Maldivian Foreign Minister Moosa Zameer is on an official visit to India. Before leaving for India, he posted a tweet announcing that he was looking forward to meeting his Indian counterpart, External Affairs Minister (MEA) S Jaishankar.
He also wrote that he would discuss the “deepening and improvement of cooperation” between the two countries for the “mutual benefit” of the people of India and the Maldives.
Upon arrival, Moosa Zameer wrote in a post: “Arrived in New Delhi on my first bilateral official visit to India! 🇮🇳 Looking forward to productive discussions, strengthening ties and experiencing the vibrant culture of #India.”
MEA India also posted on the prospect.”
However, the content of Moosa Zameer's tweets did not go down well with many Indian users on X (formerly Twitter). .over, many of them are not happy with the visit.
“What mutual benefit?” asked one user, while another wrote: “One correction sir: it is a one-sided benefit to the people of Maldives.”
Some users demanded an apology from the Maldivian Foreign Minister. “I hope the first thing you will do is apologize on behalf of your government and president,” one user said. Another wrote: “Indians are done with you and your leadership who have destroyed the centuries-long relationship.” “Where's your apology?” one user asked.
“Are you serious? After being elected in an India Out campaign, do you now want deeper cooperation? Give me one good reason why India should respond positively,” said another.
What is the context?
Some Maldivian politicians from the ruling party previously posted “derogatory comments” about Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Mariyam Shiuna, one of the ministers suspended for anti-India posts on social media, reportedly showed disrespect towards the Indian national flag.
Maldives' 'anti-India' stance
Maldives President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu is known for his 'anti-India' stance. He previously told the BBC about his meeting with the Indian ambassador. Muizzu said he “told him very clearly that all Indian soldiers here had to be removed”.
Muizzu's alliance apparently favors stronger ties with China, which has provided the Maldives with hundreds of millions in loans and infrastructure grants. However, India, which wants to keep an eye on a crucial part of the Indian Ocean, has also given the Maldives about $2 billion in development aid.
Muizzu's trip to China in January sparked even more talk. “China was our most important market (for tourism) before Covid, and it is my request that we intensify efforts for China to regain this position,” Muizzu said during his visit to China.
However, the Maldivian president rejects the idea that he is 'pro-China'. “I am a pro-Maldives person. For me, the Maldives comes first, our independence comes first. “I am for or against any country,” he said. told the BBC.
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Published: May 9, 2024 10:54 AM IST