Two junior ministers in the Maldives resigned on Tuesday after reportedly making derogatory remarks about Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The resignations come ahead of Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu's anticipated visit to New Delhi, which is expected to occur soon, although the exact date is still under discussion.

President Muizzu, known for his pro-China stance, is working to rebuild ties with India after a period of strained relations. His spokesperson, Heena Waleed, confirmed the upcoming visit and emphasized that the trip would take place at a time that suits both leaders.

The ministers who resigned, Mariyam Shiuna and Malsha Shareef, stepped down citing "personal reasons," according to a government official. Their resignations follow earlier suspensions of three ministers in January for comments made against Prime Minister Modi, including one reportedly calling him a "clown."

Tensions escalated after Indian celebrities called for a tourism boycott of the Maldives, a nation heavily reliant on tourism, following the controversial remarks. The ministers’ comments came in response to Modi's promotion of Lakshadweep, an Indian territory near the Maldives, as a prime tourist destination.

Despite initial anti-Indian rhetoric, President Muizzu appears to be softening his stance and seeking to stabilize relations with India, a key partner in the Indian Ocean region. This follows a visit to the Maldives by Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, the first since Male expelled Indian troops earlier this year.

Although relations between India and the Maldives have been strained under Muizzu, his government has distanced itself from the controversial remarks, and he has signaled that he has no intention of replacing Indian forces with Chinese military personnel, a move that would risk further disrupting the regional balance.

Muizzu's potential visit to India is seen as an effort to reset diplomatic ties, which had strengthened significantly under former Maldivian President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.