"India-Maldives Relations Strained Over Racist Comments and Minister Suspensions"

Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu suspended three deputy ministers for making derogatory comments about India and its Prime Minister Narendra Modi on social media in response to Modi's promotion of India's Lakshadweep archipelago. The Maldives, heavily reliant on Indian tourism, has seen deteriorating relations with India since Muizzu's election, with tensions over Indian military presence and the country's alignment with China's "Belt and Road" initiative. Muizzu's suspension of the ministers comes amid a broader dispute revealing fault lines in the Maldives-India relationship.