India, Jan. 7 -- A tweet by Maldives deputy minister of youth empowerment Mariyam Shiuna days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Lakshadweep has triggered a massive social media backlash, with many Indian celebrities, including actor Akshay Kumar and ex-cricketer Aakash Chopra, joining the calls to boycott the island nation.

Zahid Rameez, a member of the Progressive Party of Maldives Senate, also made controversial remarks on Modi's recent Lakshadweep visit. In one of his social media posts, he asked if India could offer better services than the Maldives.

The Maldives government later on Sunday distanced itself from derogatory remarks made by Shiuna against Modi, after former Maldives president Mohamed Nasheed urged President...