Official’s remark sparks diplomatic row in Male

An intemperate remark against the Indian High Commissioner in Male by the Maldivian president’s spokesperson has led to a diplomatic row between the two countries.

An intemperate remark against the Indian High Commissioner in Male by the Maldivian president’s spokesperson has led to a diplomatic row between the two countries.

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Responding to India’s protest, the government of Maldives – in a statement posted on the official website of Maldivian President Mohamed Waheed — disassociated itself from the remarks made by the spokesperson, Abbas Adil Riza, and some other government officials.

At a rally, Riza had called Indian envoy, Dnyaneshwar Mulay, a “traitor” and “an enemy of Maldives.”

The rally was organised by the 23rd December Alliance on Friday night to protest against the leasing of the Ibrahim Nasir International Airport to Indian infrastructure major GMR by former president Mohamed Nasheed’s government.

“A diplomat’s job is to work for his country and people, and not to protect the interests of a private company... He is a traitor and enemy of Maldives and Maldivian people. We don’t want diplomats of this kind on our soil,” Riza said.