Indian government has demanded that the Maldivian Government sack three deputy ministers instead of suspending them for making derogatory remarks against India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Hindustan Times reported on Monday.

External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar summoned Maldivian Ambassador to India Ibrahim Shaheeb to the Ministry of External Affairs.

While the two countries are yet to disclose details of the meeting, sources familiar with the meeting were quoted as saying by the Hindustan Times that the Indian government should take responsibility for improving the situation as it was due to the Maldives that the relations between the two countries deteriorated.

The newspaper also reported that the suspension of the three deputy ministers, who hurled abuses at India and Prime Minister Modi, was not enough and that they should be sacked.

Three deputy ministers of the youth ministry – Malsha Shareef, Mariyam Shiuna and Abdullah Mahzoom Majid - have been suspended in connection with the case. The government did not say how long they had been suspended for or whether they continue to receive salaries.

According to a Hindustan Times report, the Indian government is upset over President Dr. Muizzu's silence regarding the conduct of the three deputy ministers.