New Delhi:

India has summoned the Maldives envoy after three ministers from the island nation made derogatory remarks about Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

A Maldivian lawmaker slammed Prime Minister Modi following his trip to Lakshadweep, concluding that New Delhi was trying to project the Union Territory as an alternative tourist destination to the Maldives. Two other Maldivian ministers also passed derogatory comments along with a photo of Prime Minister Modi from Lakshadweep.

The statement follows widespread outrage in the Maldives, where several prominent leaders criticized comments made against the country's “closest neighbour”. Former Maldivian President Mohamed Nasheed called the statement “appalling” and called on President Mohamed Muizzu's government to distance itself from the statement.

The Maldives Foreign Ministry said the government was aware of “derogatory statements” on social media against foreign leaders and that personal views did not represent its position.

“The Maldivian government is aware of derogatory comments on social media against foreign leaders and high-ranking individuals. “These views are personal and do not represent the views of the Government of Maldives,” the Maldivian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement on Sunday. .

The three ministers – Maryam Shiuna, Malsha Shareef and Mahzoom Majid – were suspended after several Indians on social media claimed they had canceled their holiday plans to the country of more than a hundred islands dotted with luxury resorts.