Amidst strained bilateral ties leading to a decline in Indian tourists visiting the Maldives, the country’s tourism minister, Ibrahim Faisal, urged Indians to support the Maldivian economy, heavily reliant on tourism. Maldivian Tourism Minister in an interview emphasised the historical relations between India and the Maldives, expressing the government’s desire to collaborate.
“We have a history. Our newly elected government also wants to work together (with India). We always promote peace and a friendly environment. Our people and the government will give a warm welcome to Indian arrivals. As the Tourism Minister, I want to tell Indians to please be a part of Maldives’ tourism. Our economy depends on tourism,” he said.
Social media spat over Modi’s Lakshadweep tweet
The downturn in Indian tourist arrivals follows derogatory remarks against India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi by three Maldivian officials on social media after Modi tweeted photos and videos of the pristine Lakshadweep Islands on India’s west coast on January 6.
Consequently, numerous Indians, including celebrities, cancelled their reservations and dropped plans to visit the Maldives, causing a significant decline in tourist arrivals. The tourism arrival statistics reflected how from being a top visitor country, India’s position went down from topmost to sixth position after January.
Maldives tourism hit by Indian boycott
According to a report published on sun.mv, tourist arrivals from India decreased by 42 per cent in the first four months of this year compared to the same period last year. The Maldives recorded 43,991 tourist arrivals from India as of May 4, compared to 73,785 arrivals during the same period last year.
The steep decline in Indian tourists is attributed to strained relations between India and the Maldives after President Mohamed Muizzu’s administration took office in November last year.
India-Maldives ties under stress
The relationship between India and the Maldives has strained as President Muizzu, widely regarded as a pro-China leader, reaffirmed his election pledge to remove Indian military personnel from his country shortly after assuming office in November.
Following his election, Muizzu compelled the withdrawal of 88 Indian military personnel who were stationed at three aviation platforms gifted by India to the Maldives. He has previously accused India of interfering in Maldivian affairs and won the presidential elections in September last year with a campaign advocating for reduced Indian influence.
Despite this, the Maldives remains India’s key maritime neighbor in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) and plays a crucial role in initiatives such as ‘SAGAR’ (Security and Growth for All in the Region) and the ‘Neighborhood First Policy’ of the Modi government.