India summons envoy, turns heat on Maldives

India on Monday summoned the Maldivian envoy to the external affairs ministry to express its strong concerns over derogatory comments made against the country and its top leadership by several leaders of the ruling party in the Indian Ocean archipelago, people familiar with the matter said.

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The development came a day after the Maldives government suspended three deputy ministers over the derogatory comments posted on social media and distanced itself from the remarks, which it said didn't reflect the views of the administration.

The people said on condition of anonymity that Maldives high commissioner Ibrahim Shaheeb was summoned to the external affairs ministry on Monday morning and informed about India's strong concerns over comments by certain Maldivian ministers made about Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

These concerns were also conveyed to the Maldivian foreign ministry by the Indian mission in Male on Sunday.

In a related development, the Indian mission said High Commissioner Munu Mahawar held a "pre-arranged meeting" on Monday with Ali Naseer

Mohamed, ambassador at large in the Maldivian foreign ministry, to "discuss bilateral issues".

Monday's development marked a further downturn in India-Maldives relations following the coming to power of the government led by President Mohamed Muizzu, perceived to be pro-China.