Former Maldivian Minister Mariyam Shiuna has offered "sincerest apologies" for a post on social media reportedly disrespecting the Indian national flag. She is among three Deputy Ministers suspended earlier this year over social media posts targeting the Indian political leadership leading to a diplomatic row.
Shiuna, who has since deleted the said post, clarified on Monday that she did not intend to disrespect India or the country's national flag. She apologised after a controversy over a social media post she made against the Opposition using a symbol that resembled the Ashok Chakra.
"I would like to address a recent social media post of mine that has garnered attention and criticism. I extend my sincerest apologies for any confusion or offense caused by the content of my recent post," Shiuna wrote on X.
"It was brought to my attention that the image used in my response to the Maldivian Opposition party MDP bore a resemblance to the Indian flag. I want to make it clear that this was entirely unintentional, and I sincerely regret any misunderstanding it may have caused," she said.
"Maldives deeply values its relationship and the mutual respect we share with India. In future I will be more vigilant in verifying the content I share to prevent such oversights," the ex-MP added.
She also said the image was meant to take a jibe at the Opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP). Maldives is set to hold parliamentary elections on April 21.
In the deleted post, which targeted the Opposition MDP's campaign poster, the Opposition party's logo was replaced with what looks like the Ashok Chakra; in the Indian flag, the Navy Blue-coloured Ashok Chakra appears on the white central band.
"The MDP is heading towards a big slip. The people of Maldives do not want to fall and slip with them," the post read.
In January, Shiuna and two colleagues — Abdulla Mahzoom Majid and Malsha Shareef — were suspended by the Mohamed Muizzu Government, which is widely seen as anti-India and pro-China.
The Ministers' comments stemmed from what they saw as the Indian leadership attempting to promote the country's Lakshadweep islands as a tourist destination that rivals the Maldives.
This is not the first time that she has been in the news over similar issues. She was among the three Ministers who were suspended for making derogatory remarks about Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the people of India in the wake of Modi's visit to Lakshadweep.
Moreover, President Muizzu had said India had to withdraw nearly 80 of its military personnel from his country between March and May. The process has commenced.
During a recent visit to China, Muizzu had said his country may be small but it "doesn't give them the license to bully us" in an apparent reference to India.
With elections approaching, the Maldives President has struck a reconciliatory tone and said India will continue to be his country's "closest ally".
He has also urged New Delhi to provide debt relief to the Maldives, which owes about $400.9 million to India at 2023-end.
