Maldives Association of Tourism Industry (MATI) has condemned the statements made by three Deputy Ministers of Maldives who made derogatory remarks at India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"India is one of the closest allies of the Maldives and the Government of Maldives has always maintained the people-to-people relations between the Maldives, India and the people of the two countries," MATI said in a statement.

"MATI strongly condemns some deputy ministers in the government who made derogatory remarks at the Prime Minister and the people of India," MATI's statement said.

Noting that the Maldives and India have been friends for a long time, the association said India has provided first assistance to the Maldives in all its difficulties and respects the close ties between the two countries.

MATI said that India is important for tourism in the Maldives and Indian tourists played a major role in combating COVID-19 and re-opening the country's borders.