- Maldives has been in the news over the last few months for anything other than the right reasons. First, the presidential election in the Island nation created quite a flutter in the region when the pro-China leaning Mohamed Muizzu was elected to the post. He came to power by whipping up nationalistic emotions ascertaining time and again that he will clear the region of foreign military personnel, read it as Indian soldiers from the armed forces. Upon assuming office, Muizzu has been found reiterating the removal of foreign soldiers at every opportunity. Indian leadership is keenly observing the unfolding events but has also kept the diplomatic channels operational to arrive at a mutually beneficial stand. Has it worked out? No, going by the unfurling events.
PC: Travel Weekly Asia
- However, some of the ministers from the newly formed Maldivian governments wittingly or unwittingly have stirred a hornet’s nest by ridiculing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to picturesque Lakshadweep islands and posting pictures of the beautifully clean as well as alluring beaches. Even as the boycott of Maldives trended on social media for the denigrating remarks by the ministers, many celebrities like Sachin Tendulkar, Salman Khan, and Akshay Kumar have urged Indians to explore tourist destinations within the country. This is potentially bound to hit the Maldives’s tourism-dependent economy hard. The furor is not going to subside anytime soon as more celebrities are expected to join ranks to urge the Indians to explore local tourism first.
- I & B minister has also joined in to exhort people to explore the country’s tourist destinations and saying Modi’s pictures of Lakshadweep were making waves, many saw signs of, as an expert quoted, the possibility of weaponization of tourism against the pro-China dispensation in Male. The minister posted on X urging all the youth, travel enthusiasts, and explorers to first explore our own country, witness the beauty of the land, and indulge in the diverse culture and cuisine with gay abandon. Note that earnings from tourism, with increasingly prosperous India accounting for the biggest chunk of footfalls, account for a huge part of Maldives’ economy. Note that the Maldives and Lakshadweep are just 100km apart and share similar beaches & climates.
PC: Travel Weekly Asia
- As reported, the Maldives suspended three ministers for their ill-advised comments, but the damage seemed to have been done as was evident from the calls to visit Indian tourist destinations. All the abovementioned celebrities have wholeheartedly urged the Indians to first explore beautiful Indian tourist destinations rather than flock to foreign shores. As per the Maldives tourism department, the highest number of tourists visiting the country in 2023 were from India, followed by Russia and China. PM Modi’s visit to Lakshadweep has triggered a massive response and the comments by Maldivian ministers only added to the growing fracas against the Island nation. Indeed, the Maldivian government has bitten more than it can chew!
