Maldives faces a potential tourism boycott from one of its major revenue sources following derogatory comments made by three officials towards India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The controversy unfolded when Modi shared images on social platform X, showcasing himself snorkeling and strolling along a beach in Lakshadweep, a southern Indian island chain in the Laccadive Sea. While Modi did not mention neighboring Maldives, his admiration for the lesser-known archipelago may have been perceived as a strategy to attract visitors there instead of the Maldives.
In response to Modi’s post, three Maldives officials labeled him as a “clown,” “terrorist,” and a “puppet of Israel.” The Maldives government swiftly distanced itself from these comments, suspending the officials—deputy ministers with the Ministry of Youth Employment, Information, and Arts. The government clarified that these remarks were personal opinions and did not reflect its stance. It emphasized the importance of exercising freedom of expression responsibly to maintain positive international relationships.
The incident occurred as Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu embarked on a five-day visit to China, signaling a shift from his predecessor’s “India first” policy. Muizzu, known for his pro-China stance, aims to strengthen ties with Beijing and sign agreements to enhance trade and socioeconomic development during his visit.
However, Maldives, with a population of around half a million people, heavily relies on tourism income, a significant portion of which comes from India. Indian tourists accounted for the largest group of visitors to Maldives’ tropical beaches in the previous year, making up 11% of the tourism market. The officials’ comments angered Indian holidaymakers, leading to cancellations of trips to the Maldives, as evidenced by the #BoycottMaldives hashtag on social media.
Prominent figures, including Bollywood actors and cricket players, supported the boycott, urging people to explore domestic destinations. The hashtag #ChaloLakshadweep (“Let’s go to Lakshadweep”) gained traction, emphasizing Modi’s visit to the Indian island chain. Bollywood star Akshay Kumar condemned the Maldivian officials’ remarks as “hateful and racist” and encouraged supporting domestic tourism.
EaseMyTrip, an Indian travel site, announced the suspension of flight bookings to the Maldives in solidarity with the nation. The Confederation of All India Traders, a major trade body, called on members to suspend business with the Maldives until an apology or remedial measures were offered.
Maldives Foreign Minister Moosa Zameer labeled the officials’ remarks as “unacceptable” and reiterated the archipelago’s commitment to positive and constructive dialogue with its partners. The Indian High Commission in Maldives expressed concerns to the Maldivian Foreign Office, reflecting the gravity of the situation.
Michael Kugelman, director of the South Asia Institute at the Wilson Center in Washington, highlighted the Maldives government’s prompt action to suspend the officials and disavow their comments. He suggested that while challenges may arise, the new leadership in the Maldives is unlikely to jeopardize its relationship with India and will strive to balance relations with both India and China. The dispute underscores the delicate diplomatic dynamics in the region and the impact of social media on international relations.