Recent claims circulating online suggesting that the Maldives has transferred 28 islands to India have been debunked. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has clarified that these reports are entirely false and misleading.Origin of the MisinformationThe erroneous rumors emerged during External Affairs Minister S Jaishankars recent three-day visit to the Maldives. This trip was significant as it was the first high-level diplomatic visit from India following a major political change in the Maldives. Mohamed Muizzu, a leader with pro-Chinese sentiments, had recently assumed the presidency.During the visit, some social media accounts, including verified ones, falsely alleged that India had purchased 28 islands from the Maldives. They further claimed that the transaction was sanctioned by President Muizzu himself.These spurious reports also linked the purported island transfer to a comment about Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit to a beach in Lakshadweep earlier this year, with phrases such as “The magic of 50 metres walk on Lakshadweep beach and one tweet” being circulated.MEAs RebuttalThe MEA has strongly refuted these claims, affirming that there are no agreements or deals of any kind between India and the Maldives regarding the transfer of islands. The Ministry reassures the public that these rumors are unfounded and are merely attempts to create confusion.Several social media posts claim that the President of Maldives has signed an agreement to hand over 28 islands of Maldives to India#PIBFactCheck❌ This claim is Fake✅ India & Maldives jointly inaugurated projects of water and sewerage network in 28 islands of Maldives pic.twitter.com/J6Vyb6D7KZ— PIB Fact Check (@PIBFactCheck) August 13, 2024In summary, there is no truth to the allegations that the Maldives has handed over any of its islands to India. The situation has been clarified, and any further dissemination of such misinformation should be disregarded.
