From Modi and Boycott Maldives to pro-Israel Campaigns: Nationalist Users vs Diplomatic Government

Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared these photos of his time in Lakshadweep Islands. (X/NarendraModi) 

The dichotomy between India’s formal diplomatic position and the actions of users on social media, such as the ‘Boycott Maldives’ trend, underscores the contradictory nature of foreign policy in the digital age.

#Boycott Maldives erupted on X (formerly Twitter) following derogatory comments by Maldivian officials about Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi earlier this year. The incident swiftly escalated into a significant digital movement, casting a spotlight on the increasing power of social media to influence international relations and public choices in diplomacy.

The “Boycott Maldives” hashtag trended after PM Modi visited Lakshadweep, an Indian archipelago in the Arabian Sea. The prime minister extolled the “stunning beauty of its islands and the incredible warmth of its people,” and many Indian users saw it as an opportunity to pit Lakshadweep against the neighbouring Maldives.

Tensions between India and the Maldives have risen over the past few years. The archipelago nation has accused India of interfering in its domestic affairs, causing its “India First” policy to evolve into ‘India Out.’ Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu, who came to power in November 2023, has persistently called India to withdraw its military personnel from his country. India also fears that Muizzu has been cozying up to China since he visited Beijing in January, breaking the age-old tradition of Maldivian presidents coming to New Delhi for their first official visit. 

Political tension burst into flames on social media as Maldivians denounced the comparisons with Lakshadweep. The situation escalated rapidly when government figures joined the fray. In response, Maldivian Deputy Minister of Youth Empowerment, Information and Arts Mariyam Shiuna posted controversial tweets about Modi. The tweets ignited widespread outrage, fuelling a digital wildfire that led to the “Boycott Maldives” movement. Many Indians, including celebrities, began calling for a boycott of the Maldives. They expressed their discontent by claiming to cancel their planned trips to the island nation.

The Maldivian government distanced itself from these comments, stating that Shiuna's remarks were her opinion and not representative of the government’s stance. It also suspended three deputy ministers, including Shiuna and her colleagues Malsha Shareef and Abdulla Mahzoom Majid.

In today’s social media-driven world, the art of diplomacy is increasingly vulnerable to the waves caused by off-the-cuff remarks from public figures. The turmoil in the Maldives-India relations serves as a poignant example. The digital outcry underscores a growing disconnect between India’s official foreign policies and public sentiment.

Once confined to the hushed halls of embassies and the strategic roundtables of seasoned diplomats and bureaucrats, foreign policy has now burst into social media's bustling, unfiltered world. This once staid and measured field is now dancing to the unpredictable tempo of tweets, hashtags, and viral posts. In this new digital agora, the intricate tapestry of international relations is being coloured not only by the pens of policymakers but also by the keyboards of the masses. Once the preserve of closed-door meetings and formal communiqués, diplomatic dialogue now unfolds in real-time, subject to the scrutiny and sway of a global audience.

An interesting phenomenon is emerging in India: Social media users vocally declared where India “stands” on critical global issues even when the government keeps mum. This trend was evident in early 2022 during the Russian invasion of Ukraine. In India, social media platforms buzzed with hashtags like #IStandWithPutin and #IStandWithRussia, starkly contrasting the government’s official neutral stance. These accounts, found to be predominantly supporters of PM Modi and the BJP, reflect not only grassroots expressions of foreign policy opinions but also the political leanings and right-wing ideology shaping these discussions. The intersection of domestic politics and international relations in India is becoming increasingly evident through social media, illustrating the growing influence of right-wing ideology in both realms.

After Canada accused India of involvement in the killing of Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar, New Delhi officially denied the charges. However, Indian social media users alluded to India’s complicity as part of the assertive “ghar mein ghus ke maarenge” (strike from within) doctrine. The online narrative transformed this diplomatic dispute into a combative triumph for India, with users claiming India “thrashed” Canada and gave a “savage reply”, putting Trudeau “in his place”.

When public opinion, often swayed by viral trends and momentary emotion, starts dictating diplomatic stances, it risks alienating long-standing allies whose policies might temporarily diverge from the popular narrative. This could result in India finding itself in a precarious position, choosing between sustaining strategic alliances and appeasing domestic public opinion. Such a scenario could diminish India’s diplomatic leverage and ability to navigate the complex web of international relations, potentially leading to a more isolated stance on the global stage.

Elsewhere, Indian social media users have also been found spearheading the pro-Israel disinformation campaign. As Israel began its bombardment of Gaza in retaliation to the October 7 Hamas attack, there was a significant emergence of right-wing and Hindu nationalist accounts in India on social media, amplifying anti-Palestinian and Islamophobic disinformation. These Indian right-wing accounts, often juxtaposing the Indian flag with the Israeli one, have been vocal in their support for Israel.

This is all occurring in contrast to India’s official stance, which has called for a humanitarian pause and extended aid to Palestine. The dichotomy between India’s formal diplomatic position and the actions of right-wing social media accounts underscores the complex and often contradictory nature of foreign policy in the digital age. While the government adopts a more balanced approach, the nationalist narrative on social media drives an entirely different agenda, illustrating the widening gap between official policy and public sentiment.

A more extended version of this piece first appeared in The Indian Express on January 9, 2024.