'Won't Accept Such Remarks Against Our PM': Sharad Pawar Reacts To Maldives Controversy

Amid the ongoing row between India and Maldives for a remark against Prime Minister Narendra Modi by the latter's MP, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar said that it is not acceptable if anyone from any other country holding any position makes derogatory comments on the Prime Minister.

"He (Narendra Modi) is the Prime Minister of our country and if anyone from any other country holding any position makes such comments on our PM, we won't accept it," Pawar said speaking at a press conference in Mumbai on Tuesday.

Pawar also mentioned that we need to respect the Prime Minister's post and object to any derogatory comments from outside.

"We must respect the PM's post. We won't accept anything against the Prime Minister from outside the country," Pawar said.

A massive row erupted after remarks by the Maldivian minister following the Prime Minister's post about his visit to Lakshadweep. On January 2, PM Modi visited the Union Territory of Lakshadweep and shared several pictures, including an 'exhilarating experience' of him trying his hand at snorkelling.

In a series of posts on X, PM Modi shared pictures of the white beaches, the pristine blue skies, and the ocean and tagged them with a message that read, "For those who wish to embrace the adventurer in them, Lakshadweep has to be on your list."

In a post that has now been deleted, the Maldivian Deputy Minister of Youth Empowerment, Mariyam Shiuna, made a mocking and disrespectful reference to PM Modi.

Several known personalities including cricketers and film celebrities, have since come out in open support in promoting local beach destinations and other tourist spots. They also voiced support for PM Modi's call for promoting beach tourism in Lakshadweep.

The Maldives government has, however, distanced itself from the remarks made by its ministers. Maldivian Minister of Foreign Affairs Moosa Zameer said that these remarks against foreign leaders are "unacceptable" and do not reflect the official position of the Maldives government.