Maldives Minister's Social Media Stir: Unintentional Flag Flap Sparks Diplomatic Concerns

A suspended minister in the Maldives apologized after her social media post criticizing the opposition party, Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), which caused controversy. Mariyam Shiuna, who is from the same party as the Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu, expressed regret for any confusion or offense her post may have caused. She clarified that the image used in her post, which resembled the Indian flag, was unintentional and apologized for any misunderstanding.

Shiuna's post had replaced a compass on an MDP poster with a symbol resembling the Ashok Chakra amid diplomatic tensions between India and the Maldives. President Muizzu's tenure has seen calls for the withdrawal of Indian troops from the Maldives, as well as an increase in the Maldives' engagement with China.

Despite earlier tensions, Muizzu has stated that India will remain the Maldives' closest ally and has requested debt relief from India.

The now-deleted remark by the suspended minister has put the People's National Congress in a challenging position, given the sensitive diplomatic context. This isn't the first time Shiuna has stirred controversy regarding India. Previously, her comments on Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Lakshadweep drew criticism from former Maldives President Mohamed Nasheed, who called for the government to distance itself from such remarks and reassure India of its commitment to bilateral relations.