"Why Should Maldives Speak About Our Matters?" Lakshadweep MP To NDTV

"It was an unwanted one (remark). Maldives has nothing to do with the internal matters of India. Being a Union Territory, it is under the direct control of the home ministry. The PM spoke on its tourism and development and he wanted to place Lakshadweep on the world tourism map. What makes it an issue for the Maldives is not being understood," Lakshadweep MP Muhammad Faizal told NDTV. Maldives suspended three deputy ministers on Sunday for making "derogatory remarks" against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The PM on January 4 posted on social media praising the "pristine beaches" of India's Lakshadweep islands, which lie about 130 kilometres (80 miles) north of the Maldives at their closest point.