'Indian boycott will hit us hard': Maldives' pro-India leaders slam 'hateful' remarks by ministers

The Maldives government has suspended three ministers after their racist and derogatory remarks against India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Lakshadweep post triggered a massive controversy. The old guard of the island nation came to India's defense and urged the government to realize New Delhi's key role in the nation's development. Ahmed Mahloof, the former sports minister of Maldives, condemned the language used by the ministers and warned that a boycott by Indian tourists would deeply hurt the economy.