NEW DELHI — The Maldives is facing a potential boycott as one of its main sources of tourism income after three officials mocked Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, leading to calls from Indian citizens and celebrities to support domestic beaches instead of the popular tourist destination.
The controversy arose when Modi shared images on his social media account of himself snorkeling and enjoying the beaches of the Lakshadweep Islands, a relatively unknown archipelago located off the coast of Kerala in southern India. Although Modi did not mention the Maldives in his post, his praise for the picturesque scenery of the Lakshadweep Islands may have been seen as a subtle way to divert tourists from the Maldives.
In response, three Maldivian officials referred to Modi as a “clown,” a “terrorist,” and a “puppet of Israel.” The Maldivian government took swift action, suspending the officials and distancing itself from their comments. In a statement, the government emphasized that the officials’ opinions are personal and do not reflect the views of the country.
This incident comes at a sensitive time as Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu embarks on a visit to China, signaling his pro-China stance and a departure from his predecessor’s “India first” policy. During his visit, Muizzu is expected to strengthen ties with China through various agreements.
However, the Maldives is heavily reliant on tourism, and India is its largest source of tourists. Last year, Indian tourists accounted for 11% of the Maldives’ tourism market. The Indian boycott campaign gained traction on social media, with Indian holidaymakers canceling their trips to the Maldives and promoting local destinations, such as the Lakshadweep Islands.
Indian actor Akshay Kumar and other prominent figures supported the boycott, urging people to explore Indian islands and expressing their disdain for the officials’ remarks. Indian travel site EaseMyTrip even suspended bookings for flights to the Maldives in solidarity with the movement.
The Maldivian Foreign Minister and the Indian High Commission in Maldives have also condemned the officials’ statements, with the Indian High Commission expressing its concerns to the Maldivian Foreign Office.
Although this dispute poses challenges to the relationship between the Maldives and India, analysts believe that the Maldivian government will prioritize maintaining its ties with both India and China. The quick action taken by the Maldivian government to suspend the officials and denounce their comments reflects the importance it places on its relationship with India.
In conclusion, the Maldives faces a potential tourism boycott after three officials made derogatory remarks about Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Indian tourists constitute a significant portion of the Maldives’ tourism market, and their anger has led to a campaign promoting domestic beach destinations. The Maldivian government has taken steps to resolve the issue and maintain its relationship with India, emphasizing that the officials’ opinions are personal and do not represent the country’s views.