Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu travels to China amid New Delhi-Male diplomatic row

Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu, who’s perceived as pro-Chinese, and First Lady Sajidha Mohamed departed for China on Sunday (January 7, 2024) for a state go to amid an ongoing diplomatic row with India.

“This go to is being made following an invite from the President of China, H.E. Xi Jinping,” learn a press release issued by the Maldives President’s web site.

“During President Dr Muizzu’s State Visit, the Maldives and China will maintain official talks and signal key agreements to improve commerce, skilled growth, and socioeconomic cooperation. This go to may even pave the way in which for collaborations in know-how and different areas between the 2 nations,” the assertion stated.

Diplomatic row with India

He is visiting China amid a rising diplomatic row with India over the feedback made by three Maldivian ministers in opposition to Indian PM Narendra Modi.

Ministers suspended

The Maldivian authorities on Sunday suspended three ministers for his or her alleged derogatory remarks in opposition to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi which triggered a row between the 2 nations.

The three ministers had been recognized as Mariyam Shiuna, Malsha Shareef and Mahzoom Majid.

“Those who made such posts on social media whereas in authorities positions have now been suspended from their jobs,” learn a press release issued by the nation’s authorities as quoted by NDTV.

This comes within the wake of Maldivian Minister Mariyam Shiuna’s disparaging feedback on Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a “clown” and “puppet” in posts on X, which have since been deleted.

These tweets had been eliminated following criticism and backlash on the location.

India-Maldives relationship

The row erupted underneath the shadow of strained India-Maldives ties after President Mohamed Muizzu got here to energy.

Muizzu assumed the presidency of the Maldives in November 2023. As a part of his election promise, he dedicated to withdrawing a bunch of roughly 75 Indian navy personnel from his nation and revising the Maldives’ longstanding “India first” coverage.

‘Boycott Maldives’ is trending on social media following a tweet by a Maldives minister days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s pictorial go to to the Lakshadweep archipelago.

PM Modi’s go to to the nation’s smallest Union Territory comprising 36 islands with an space of 32 sq km was seen as a transfer to promote tourism on the island.