The Indian External Affairs Ministry has summoned Maldivian High Commissioner to India Ibrahim Shihab over the comments made by top government officials against Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Indian media have shown video images of High Commissioner Shihab entering the Indian Ministry and exiting after he meets with Ministry officials. The Government of Maldives has also confirmed that its High Commissioner has been summoned to the Indian External Affairs Ministers.

Callous comments made on social media against the Indian Prime Minister appear to have put the relationship between the two allies on a knife's edge as tensions continue to fester.

The Maldivian government issued a curt statement denouncing the derogatory remarks against the Indian Prime Minister and distanced itself from comments made by officials at the Deputy Minister's designations.

It further said that it believes that the freedom of expression should be exercised democratically and responsibly, and in ways that do not spread hatred, and negativity, and hinder close relationships between the Maldives and its international partners.

The Maldivian government assured that the relevant authorities of the Government will not hesitate to take action against those who make such derogatory remarks.

Later on, Minister of the President's Office Ibrahim Khaleel said that the government has now suspended the officials in question.