India-Maldives row: Not asked airlines to take any action so far, says govt official

The development comes after the government of the Maldives on January 7 suspended three deputy ministers for derogatory social media posts against Modi.

Amid the India-Maldives diplomatic tensions, a senior government has said that the Centre is "looking at derogatory remarks" by some Maldives ministers made against India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his recent visit to Lakshadweep.

The official, on January 8, also added that the government has not asked airlines to take any action so far.

The development comes after the government of the Maldives on January 7 suspended three deputy ministers for derogatory social media posts against Modi.

Meanwhile, full-service carrier Vistara's Chief Commercial Officer Deepak Rajawat said that the airline has not cancelled any flight to Maldives so far and will monitor the demand.

"The situation is evolving right now... we will have to monitor in a week or so," he said in response to queries about the Maldives situation.

The Maldives row:

The three deputy ministers criticised Modi for his post on 'X' following his visit to Lakshadweep, inferring that it was an attempt to project the Union Territory as an alternative tourist destination to the Maldives.

According to Maldivian media reports, deputy ministers in the youth ministry, Malsha Shareef, Mariyam Shiuna and Abdulla Mahzoom Majid, have been suspended over their posts.

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New Delhi on Maldives:

In New Delhi, official sources said the Indian high commission in Male strongly raised the matter with the Maldivian foreign ministry on January 7.

The disparaging remarks by the ministers have drawn flak in India, with many celebrities urging people on X to explore domestic tourist destinations instead of going to the Maldives.

There were also posts on social media claiming that some Indians are cancelling their scheduled trip to the Maldives in view of the row.

The Maldivian foreign ministry said the government is aware of ''derogatory remarks'' on social media platforms against foreign leaders and that the personal views do not represent its position.

''The government of Maldives is aware of derogatory remarks on social media platforms against foreign leaders and high-ranking individuals. These opinions are personal and do not represent the views of the government of Maldives,'' the Maldivian foreign ministry said in a statement earlier.

(With inputs from agencies)