The Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Monday (January 8, 2024) summoned Maldivian envoy to India Ibrahim Shaheeb and conveyed strong concern over remarks posted on social media against Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
As per reports, the Maldives High Commissioner was seen arriving at the MEA office building and leaving a short while later, Indian news agency UNI reported.
The Ministry summoned the envoy amid the ongoing row between India and the Maldives over derogatory remarks made by Maldivian leaders against Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Lakshadweep.
Earlier, on Monday, Indian High Commissioner to Maldives, Munu Mahawar held a “pre-arranged meeting” with Ali Naseer Mohamed, Ambassador at large at the Maldivian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Male.
The Indian High Commission in Maldives posted on X, “High Commissioner Munu Mahawar had a pre-arranged meeting with H.E. Dr Ali Naseer Mohamed, Ambassador at Large, at MoFA, Maldives, today to discuss bilateral issues.”
Meanwhile, the Maldives government has distanced itself from the remarks made by its ministers. Maldivian Minister of Foreign Affairs Moosa Zameer said that these remarks against foreign leaders are “unacceptable” and do not reflect the official position of the Maldives government.