Modi trip to Indian islands prompts Maldives row

Maldivian envoy summoned and flights suspended after insults about Indian PM’s visit to Lakshadweep islands

A row has erupted between India and the Maldives after the Indian prime minister, Narendra Modi, visited the Indian islands of Lakshadweep to promote tourism.

The visit was perceived by some in the Maldives as an attempt to draw tourists away from the archipelago in the Indian Ocean, whose economy is heavily dependent on tourism.

Three Maldivian ministers have been suspended after making derogatory comments about Modi on social media, describing him as a “terrorist” and a “clown”. The Maldives foreign ministry said the comments – later deleted – were made in a personal capacity and did not represent the official government view.

The Lakshadweep archipelago lies adjacent to the Maldives and shares similar white sand beaches and crystal blue waters, but has so far been underdeveloped.

“The government believes that the freedom of expression should be exercised in a democratic and responsible manner, and in ways that do not spread hatred, negativity, and hinder close relationships between the Maldives and international partners,” the Maldives government said in a statement.


On Monday, India’s ministry of external affairs summoned the Maldivian envoy over the insults and one of India’s largest travel platforms suspended flight bookings to the islands. Many people in India have pledged to boycott travel to the Maldives in response to the comments, which were condemned by the former Maldivian prime minister Mohamed Solih as “hateful”.

The largest number of visitors to the Maldives come from India and Russia. Tourism accounts for almost a third of its economy, according to the World Bank.

Relations between the two countries have become more turbulent after the election of the Maldivian president, Mohamed Muizzu, in September.

He is seen to have better relations with China and had fought an “India out” election campaign promising to lesson its influence over the archipelago and remove dozens of Indian army personnel who had been posted there.

Muizzu is due to make a five-day visit China this week but has yet to make an official visit to India since he was elected, a departure from previous prime ministers that many have seen as a snub. The visit is likely to come as a blow to Delhi, which sees the strategically placed Maldives as critical in its attempt to lessen China’s influence in the Indian Ocean region.

Link: https://amp-theguardian-com.cdn.ampproject....mid-tourism-row

A dot choosing sides is pure dumb. Should learn from a bigger dot

This post has been edited by jojolicia: Jan 9 2024, 12:19 PM

Sure Modi doesn't give a rat's ass about that puny country.

Kancil sama kancil bergaduh.. gajah gelak ditengah ..

India certainly has the right to promote own islands as an alternative to Maldives.

If Indians don't go to there, Maldives should just woo PRC. Sudah kasi visa free entry ke belum?

Maldives is chinas friend right ?

Yup

Muslim country vs Hindu country

Dont blame Maldives later if they lease china a naval outpost there

Its started when the new President of maldives sworn in as president in january.He is using anti India during the campaign

It's Greater Bharat dream

He's pro China.

Not sure why Maldives got triggered when India only promoting it's own island. No reference at all made to Malidives during Modi's visit to Lakshadweep.
But more than that, the comments hurled towards India were not just normal remarks, they were very derogatory and vicious, not made by normal citizens but were from 3 ministers targeting Modi and India. Indian tourists make up the lion's share of the total number of visitors to that country. Now with the boycott, Maldives economy being driven by tourism is going to take a big hit. As it is, the country has a very high debt, this is going to be a double blow. China will see this as an opportunity and hopefully the country doesn't follow Sri Lanka and allow their land to be leased and taken over. All I can say is that kacang lupakan kulit. India has been a great friend towards Malidives and has helped that island nation during difficult times when no one else came forward.

This post has been edited by abhipraaya: Jan 9 2024, 03:02 PM

they just being honest

like this also butthurt

Maldives also mostly yindian, apa mo susah

Actually the Maldives have a running feud with India for quite some time already, I believe one reason was India banned the export of sand; forcing the tiny island country to import from as far away as Malaysia. The current Maldivian president campaigned on reducing Indian influence and pivoting even more to China. It's not a new thing, the previous president (currently jailed for corruption) was also China-oriented.

Current Maldivian president was elected on anti India ticket. It is expected some ministers to be anti India.

so not only south sea this komunis kacau

Maldives otw sinking already, that's why marah orang lain Ada island tak sinking lmao

Maldives- island indian
India pulau