India told Maldives that the controversial tweet by BJP leader and Rajya Sabha MP Subramaniam Swamy “does not reflect the official position of” the government, a source familiar with the development said.
Swamy, on August 24, had tweeted out that “India should invade Maldives if rigging of election takes place.” Swamy’s tweet had led to Maldivian foreign ministry summoning Indian high commissioner on Sunday to express its ‘displeasure’ over the tweet by a person who is not part of the government. “We have clarified to the Maldives foreign ministry that the views expressed by Dr Swami is his personal opinion and doesn’t reflect the position of the government”, a source said.
Maldives’ foreign secretary Ahmed Sareer called in India’s high commissioner in Male, Akhilesh Mishra and expressed the displeasure of the government over the issue.