Ministry of Foreign Affairs has refuted claims that the High Commission of India requested the closure of Lotus Goalhi.
Some media outlets have cited an official of the foreign ministry stating that the High Commissioner of India to the Maldives Sunjay Sudhir requested the road to the east of the High Commission building to be permanently closed. However, the foreign ministry has stated that the High Commission has not requested the closure of Lotus Goalhi and that requests concerning security at the High Commission are handled by the national security services.
Earlier in July, security was strengthened at the High Commission of India and the Embassy of China following reports of threats being circulated on social media. Under the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, the Government of the Maldives is responsible for safeguarding the diplomats and diplomatic missions in the country.
Maldives Police Service (MPS) has expressed concern that some media outlets are publishing false information that creates hate and outrage in the public, which threatens to damage the country's relations with foreign countries. MPS urged media outlets to be more responsible when publishing content in order to safeguard foreign diplomats and protect the country's reputation in the international community.