Maldives Ex-Minister’s Apology After Post Linked To India Flag Sparks Row

New Delhi:

A suspended minister of the Maldives has apologised after her social media publish in opposition to opposition celebration Maldivian Democratic Occasion (MDP), which had a logo resembling Ashok Chakra, sparked a row.

“I wish to deal with a current social media publish of mine that has garnered consideration and criticism. I lengthen my sincerest apologies for any confusion or offense attributable to the content material of my current publish,” Mariyam Shiuna, who belongs to the identical celebration as President of the Maldives, Mohamed Muizzu, posted on X as we speak.

“It was delivered to my consideration that the picture utilized in my response to the Maldivian opposition celebration MDP bore a resemblance to the Indian flag. I need to make it clear that this was totally unintentional, and I sincerely remorse any misunderstanding it could have prompted,” she added.

“Maldives deeply worth its relationship and, the mutual respect we share with India. In future I might be extra vigilant in verifying the content material I share to forestall such oversights,” the previous minister mentioned.

Ms Shiuna’s publish had changed a compass on an MDP poster with a logo resembling the Ashok Chakra. The publish got here in opposition to the backdrop of diplomatic tensions between Indian and the Maldives after President Muizzu took over. The President has been insisting on the withdrawal of 80-odd Indian troops stationed within the island nation for humanitarian companies. His tenure has additionally seen the Maldives’ China outreach. Quickly after taking on, President Muizzu visited Beijing and met Chinese language President Xi Jinping. On his return, he mentioned, with out naming any nation, “We could also be small, however this does not give them the licence to bully us.” The comment was seen as a swipe at India.

With elections approaching, the Maldives President has struck a reconciliatory tone and mentioned India will proceed to be his nation’s “closest ally”. He has additionally urged New Delhi to supply debt reduction to the Maldives, which owes about $400.9 million to India at 2023-end.

Towards this backdrop, the suspended minister’s now-deleted comment seems to have put the Folks’s Nationwide Congress in a tough place.

This isn’t the primary time Ms Shiuna has made headlines for her remarks on India. Earlier, her remarks on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s go to to Lakshadweep had sparked a pointy response from former president of the Maldives, Mohamed Nasheed.

“What appalling language by Maldives authorities official Mariyam Shiuna in the direction of the chief of a key ally, that’s instrumental for the Maldives’ safety and prosperity. The Mohamed Muizzu authorities should distance itself from these feedback and provides clear assurance to India they don’t replicate gov coverage,” Mr Nasheed had then mentioned.

Quickly after, Ms Shiuna and two others had been suspended as ministers.