Amid the ongoing diplomatic row with India, a leader from the Opposition ranks in Maldives requested President Mohamed Muizzu to apologise to India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The demand was raised by Gasuim Ibrahim, leader of the Jumhoori Party, who demanded the Muizzu-led government to seek “diplomatic reconciliation” with India in a bid to mend bilateral ties.

The relations with India were damaged after derogatory social media posts by three of Muizzu’s ministers against Modi.

Incidentally, Gasuim’s demand comes a day after the main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), which holds a majority in the Maldivian Parliament, on Monday said it plans to submit a motion to impeach Muizzu.

Muizzu, 45, defeated India-friendly incumbent Ibrahim Mohamed Solih in the presidential runoff held in September last year. Gasuim, while speaking with media after a meeting of the Jumhoori Party (JP), called on Muizzu to formally apologise to India and Modi for the recent controversial remarks made during an interview, the Voice Of Maldives portal said.

Expressing concern over the comments, Gasuim urged President Muizzu to seek forgiveness from India for the indirect attacks made in the interview, the digital platform said.

Gasuim attributed those unwarranted remarks to former President Abdulla Yameen, who initiated the “India Out” campaign leading to tensions between Maldives and India, and pointed out that former President Ibrahim Solih, who was the president at that time, delayed in opposing the campaign.

With PTI inputs