A Maldives government official said the two ministers resigned for personal reasons, AFP said Tuesday.
One of the ministers had insulted Modi, calling him a "clown," after a video showing the Indian leader visiting Lakshadweep, an island north of the Maldives, was posted on social media in early January.
In response, Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu suspended the two, along with a third deputy minister, later that month. Their resignation comes ahead of Muizzu's first official visit to India, following his pro-China stance since taking office in November last year.
In June, Muizzu visited India to attend Modi's inauguration for a third term, along with other foreign dignitaries. Earlier, upon taking office, Muizzu had ordered the withdrawal of around 80 Indian troops stationed in the Maldives and made China his first diplomatic destination, bypassing India despite tensions between the two countries.
However, sources analyze that Muizzu is expected to focus on restoring relations and promoting national interests, given the Maldives' longstanding ties with India. The Maldives, with a population of some 500,000, is a small nation but sits along major global trade routes, making it a key battleground for influence between rival nations India and China.
reporter
Kim Joo-heon
jhkim123@ajunews.com
