A local man has been arrested after threatening to bomb the Indian High Commission in Maldives.

The 42-year-old was arrested on Saturday night over the threat made via Twitter.

Police said that such acts supporting and promoting terrorism are investigated as serious criminal offenses, and confirmed that security measures in the Indian mission in capital Male’ City has since been increased.

Foreign ministry announced this over the past weekend, adding that measures at the Chinese embassy have also been doubled. Both missions are established in the country's congested capital.

Both the police and foreign ministry have expressed concern over local media reports defending and supporting such acts.

Noting that this sparks outrage and hostility towards the diplomatic missions, authorities stressed that spreading inaccurate information regarding foreign diplomats as well as diplomatic missions in the Maldives incites hatred towards them in the hearts of the citizens and in turn trigger negative and often hostile outcomes.

They noted that such actions are bound to strain the country’s reputation in the eyes of the international community, as well as weaken long-standing diplomatic relations and consecutively impacting business opportunities as well as the country’s tourism industry.

Under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations 1961, the government of Maldives is mandated to provide the required security for diplomats and diplomatic missions established in the island nation.