Maldives Minister Regrets Disparaging Post ‘Mocking’ Indian National Flag’s Ashok Chakra

A suspended junior minister of Maldives’ ruling occasion ignited controversy with a social media submit, misusing parts of the Indian nationwide flag to focus on the opposition occasion. The now-deleted submit by Mariyam Shiuna featured a Maldivian Democratic Celebration’s (MDP) marketing campaign poster with the occasion’s emblem changed by the Ashok Chakra on the Tricolour.

Belonging to Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu’s occasion, Shiuna used the submit as a political prop, saying, “The MDP is heading in the direction of an enormous slip. The individuals of Maldives don’t wish to fall and slip with them.” This row got here a number of months after the identical minister confronted extreme backlash from Indian social media customers for hateful remarks in opposition to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which later led to her suspension, together with two different deputy ministers.

Shiuna’s ‘sincerest apologies’

After the newest uproar over her submit, Shiuna expressed remorse for any confusion or offense brought about. She clarified that the resemblance to the Indian flag within the picture was unintentional and conveyed the Maldives’ “deep respect for India.”

“I wish to handle a latest social media submit 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 latest submit,” she mentioned in a submit on X. “It was dropped at my consideration that the picture utilized in my response to the Maldivian opposition occasion MDP bore a resemblance to the Indian flag. I wish to make it clear that this was totally unintentional, and I sincerely remorse any misunderstanding it might have brought about.”

‘I might be extra vigilant’

“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 stop such oversights,” she added. Although Shiuna expressed remorse, Indian social media customers have been outraged. The incident unfolded a number of days after Maldivian Overseas Minister Moosa Zameer on Saturday thanked India for its gesture to resume the commerce quota, permitting the export of sure portions of important commodities for the island nation.

“I sincerely thank EAM @DrSJaishankar and the Authorities of #India for the renewal of the quota to allow #Maldives to import important commodities from India in the course of the years 2024 and 2025,” Zameer mentioned in a submit on social media platform X. “That is really a gesture which signifies the longstanding friendship, and the robust dedication to additional broaden bilateral commerce and commerce between our two nations,” he mentioned.

Exterior Affairs Minister S Jaishankar responded to Zameer’s submit, saying India stands firmly dedicated to its Neighbourhood First and SAGAR insurance policies. Regardless of the strained relations underneath the Mohamed Muizzu authorities, India stays a significant financial accomplice for the Maldives, supplying important commodities resembling rice and drugs.