S. Jaishankar, the minister of external affairs, recently spoke out about the ongoing diplomatic dispute with the Maldives, stating that it is not always possible to predict whether other nations will stand by or concur with India.
Jaishankar responded, “Politics is politics,” when questioned about the recent rift with the Maldives at a town hall meeting in Nagpur. I can’t promise that everyone will agree with us or support us every day, everywhere.
“What we are trying to do, and with a lot of success in the last 10 years, is to build a very strong connect.”
Jaishankar outlined India’s ten-year endeavor to establish robust global ties while emphasizing the cultivation of goodwill among people in spite of fluctuations in political ties.
“Politics may go up and down but the people of that nation generally have good feelings towards India and understand the importance of having good relations,” he said.
The minister further noted India’s involvement in infrastructure development in other countries.
“We are involved today in building roads, electricity, transmission, supplying fuel, providing trade access, making investments, and having people holiday in other countries,” Jaishankar said, stressing that “all these are parts of how you develop those relationships.”
“Sometimes, things do not go in a good way, and then you have to reason with people to bring things back to where they should be,” he added.
The diplomatic row between India and the Maldives erupted after three Maldivian leaders posted derogatory remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, criticizing his recent trip to Lakshadweep. India strongly condemned the comments and summoned the Maldivian envoy to register a protest.
The incident also triggered an online campaign to boycott the popular tourist destination, with prominent figures from the Indian film industry and celebrities endorsing the call to promote beach tourism in Lakshadweep and other domestic destinations.
Three Maldivian leaders made disparaging remarks about Prime Minister Narendra Modi on social media, criticizing his recent visit to Lakshadweep, which sparked a diplomatic spat between India and the Maldives. India protested the remarks by calling the Maldivian envoy and harshly denouncing them.
Along with the incident, a call to promote beach tourism in Lakshadweep and other domestic destinations was endorsed by celebrities and notable members of the Indian film industry, who launched an online campaign to boycott the popular tourist destination.
In response to the controversy, the Maldivian government distanced itself from the objectionable remarks against PM Modi and suspended the three junior ministers.
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