The Maldives' envoy to India, Ibrahim Shaheeb, was summoned by India's Foreign Ministry on Monday morning over derogatory statements made by three now-suspended ministers, reported Indian media.
The ministers include the Youth Employment Ministry's Malsha Shareef, Information Ministry's Mariyam Shiuna, and Arts Ministry's Abdulla Mahzoom Majid, who were disciplined for their comments against Modi on social media.
Last week, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in an attempt to promote tourism in Lakshadweep, an Indian union territory in the Arabian Sea, participated in activities such as snorkelling and others, tweeting photos and videos.
Watch PM Modi Embraces Adventure, Tries Snorkeling In Lakshadweep
© Photo : Twitter/@narendramodi
The three deputy ministers described Modi as a "clown", "terrorist", and "puppet of Israel" on the social media platform X in response to Modi's video of the Lakshadweep Archipelago islands.
Many celebrities widely criticised the reaction of all three ministers.
On Sunday, the Maldivian Foreign Ministry acknowledged it was aware of the derogatory remarks by their deputy ministers against foreign leaders and high-ranking individuals.
"These opinions are personal and do not represent the views of the Government of Maldives", the statement issued by the Maldives read.
The Indian high commissioner to Male also said the three deputy minister's remarks on Prime Minister Modi were totally uncalled for and unacceptable to India. After this, Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu suspended all three ministers.
Meanwhile, Maldives' former president, Mohamed Nasheed, and former foreign minister, Abdulla Shahid, both condemned the remarks made by the deputy ministers.
The Maldives' $6 billion GDP is mainly dependent on tourism, with Indian tourists accounting for nearly a quarter of foreign arrivals in the country.