MP, Who Criticised Modi, Extends Birthday Wishes To Jaishankar Amidst Maldives Row

A Maldives MP, who was under fire for his remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, today wished Foreign Minister S Jaishankar on his birthday.

Foreign Minister S Jaishankar received a birthday wish by a Maldives MP on January 9, who had been under fire for his remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Takin to X, formerly known as Twitter, Zahid Rameez wrote, "Happy Birthday to the esteemed Minister of External Affairs, Dr. S. Jaishankar! Wishing you a year filled with success and positive diplomatic endeavors."

A massive controversy was triggered by some Maldivian ministers, including Zahid Rameez, who targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi's attempt to promote Lakshadweep as a tourist destination. PM Modi's post, where he was seen snorkeling, went viral, leading social media users to suggest the Union Territory comprising 36 islands as an alternate tourist destination to the Maldives.

Taking to X, the same Maldivian MP Rameez wrote, "The move is great. However, the idea of competing with us is delusional. How can they provide the service we offer? How can they be so clean? The permanent smell in the rooms will be the biggest downfall."

After the derogatory remarks by the Maldivian MPs against PM Modi, Maldives had suspended ministers Maryam Shiuna, Malsha Shareef and Mahzoom Majid. The suspension was prompted by massive outrage within the Maldives, with several prominent leaders criticizing the remarks against the nation's "closest neighbour". Mariya Ahmed Didi - a former defence minister and a leader of the Maldives' largest opposition party, the MNP - also hit out at the ruling People's National Congress for potentially alienating an "age-old relationship" and referred to India as her country's "911 call". Several Indians on social media claimed to have cancelled their scheduled vacation to the nation made up of more than a hundred islands dotted with luxury resorts.