One of the Maldives’ main tourist revenue streams is boycotting the country after three of its officials made fun of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Indian celebrities and residents have been urging people to avoid the sun-kissed retreat in favour of their beaches.
Modi uploaded pictures of himself snorkelling and strolling along a beach in Lakshadweep, a southern Indian island chain in the Laccadive Sea, off the coast of Kerala, on social media site X. This sparked a controversy.
Though Modi did not specifically name the Maldives in his article, his gushing praise of the stunning landscape of the lesser-known islands may have been seen as a charm offensive to entice travellers there instead of the Maldives.
In response to his tweet, three Maldivian officials called Modi a “terrorist,” a “clown,” and a “puppet of Israel,” according to Reuters.
A senior Maldives source told Reuters on Sunday that the Maldives government swiftly distanced itself from the remarks made by the three officials, who are deputy ministers in the Ministry of Youth Employment, Information, and Arts.
The Maldives government acknowledged receiving reports of “derogatory” remarks on social media but emphasised that the remarks were “opinions are personal” and did not necessarily reflect the government’s position.
“The government feels that the right to free speech should be used responsibly, democratically, and in a way that doesn’t incite hatred or harm the close ties that the Maldives has with its international partners,” the statement read.
The event occurs at a delicate moment, as Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu is leaving on his first state visit to China in five years after winning the election in October.
Pro-China Muizzu promised to reverse his predecessor’s “India first” approach in an area where Beijing and New Delhi compete for influence.
A government release states that he is anticipated to meet with Chinese authorities and sign “key agreements to improve trade, professional, and socioeconomic development” during the trip.
Although Muizzu is eager to strengthen its relationship with Beijing, the little island nation in the Indian Ocean, which is home to only 500,000 people, cannot afford to aggravate its nearest neighbour.
The Maldives is mostly dependent on tourism, and a significant portion of its revenue comes from India. According to the Maldives’ official tourism website, last year, the world’s most populated nation sent the greatest number of visitors to its beautiful beaches.
According to data revealed this week, over 209,000 Indian travellers visited the Maldives in 2023, accounting for 11% of the country’s tourism industry. China followed closely after, contributing 10% of the total with 187,118 visitors, or almost the same amount as Russia.
However, several Indian vacationers were incensed by the authorities’ comments, and they took to social media to demonstrate that they had cancelled their plans to visit the island chain, using the hashtag #BoycottMaldives.
Celebrities, including cricket players and Bollywood stars, encouraged followers to travel locally instead, with the hashtag #ChaloLakshadweep—which means “Let’s go to Lakshadweep,” the place where Modi visited—gaining popularity.
Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar, who is well-known for starring in patriotic films, was one of them. “Hateful and racist,” he described the sentiments made by the Maldivian officials.
“We treat our neighbours well, so why should we put up with such hateful acts without cause? I’ve been to the Maldives several times and have always been impressed—but first, dignity. “Let’s choose to #ExploreIndianIslands and encourage domestic travel,” he declared.
The Indian travel website EaseMyTrip said on Monday that it has stopped accepting reservations for flights to the Maldives.
CEO and co-founder of EaseMyTrip Nishant Pitti stated in a post on X that “@EaseMyTrip has suspended all Maldives flight bookings in solidarity with our nation.”
Foreign Minister Moosa Zameer of the Maldives termed the officials’ comments “unacceptable” in a post on X, stressing that the archipelago is dedicated to “fostering a positive and constructive dialogue with our partners.”
The Indian High Commission in the Maldives “strongly raised and expressed concerns” to the Maldivian Foreign Office, a source told CNN on Monday.
The swift response taken by the Maldivian government to suspend the officials and condemn their remarks, according to Michael Kugelman, director of the South Asia Institute at the Wilson Centre in Washington, demonstrated how highly it regards ties with India.
“I would argue that ultimately the new Maldivian leadership does not want to risk losing its relationship with India,” he added, referring to the ongoing debate that implies there may be difficulties ahead.
“I would argue that the Maldivian government will seek to maintain a balance in its relations with China and India.”