Maldives Urges Indians: Tourism Minister Ibrahim Faisal highlights the historical ties between India and Maldives, expressing the new government’s desire to collaborate with India.
Maldives Urges Indians to Revitalize Tourism Industry
Collaboration and Peace Advocacy Amid Strained Bilateral Relations
In the midst of strained bilateral relations due to derogatory remarks against India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a Maldivian minister urges Indians to participate in their tourism industry as their economy relies on it. Highlighting the shared history between India and Maldives, Tourism Minister Ibrahim Faisal expressed the new government’s interest in collaborating with India.
Amidst strained bilateral relations due to derogatory remarks against India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a Maldivian minister urges Indians to participate in their tourism industry as their economy relies on it. Highlighting the shared history between India and Maldives, Tourism Minister Ibrahim Faisal expressed the new government’s interest in collaborating with India.Maldives Urges Indians:
The minister from the Maldives stated, “With our shared history, our newly elected government aims to collaborate [with India]. We advocate for peace and a welcoming atmosphere. Both our citizens and administration eagerly await Indian visitors. As Tourism Minister, Said Maldives Urges Indians to join Maldives’ tourism. Our economy relies on it.”
Following derogatory remarks by three Maldivian officials on India and PM Modi after his X handle post of Lakshadweep Islands, hundreds of Indian tourists canceled their Maldives trips. Tourist arrivals to the island nation decreased by 42% since January, with only 42,638 Indians visiting from January to May 2024 compared to 73,785 last year.
Maldives Urges Indians: Decline in Indian Tourist Arrivals Amid Political Tensions
According to a daily report from the Ministry of Tourism of the Maldives on March 4, India descended to the sixth position on the ‘Top 10 Markets’ list. India’s ranking in Maldives Tourism has steadily declined since Mohamed Muizzu assumed the presidency.
During a bilateral meeting, India and Maldives discussed the replacement of Indian military personnel, progressing with the “India Out” campaign pledged by President Mohamed Muizzu during the election.
Both sides engaged in discussions covering various mutual interests, encompassing development and defense cooperation. They expressed contentment with India’s commitment to replace military personnel at the final aviation platform by May 10, confirming that all logistical arrangements are progressing according to plan, the press release stated.
According to a report from sun.mv published on Monday, tourist arrivals from India decreased by 42 percent in the initial four months of this year compared to the corresponding period last year. At the beginning of this year, India held the position of the leading tourist market for the Maldives. However, shortly thereafter, India slipped to sixth place among the top tourist markets, as reported by the news portal.
Maldives Urges Indians: Strained Relations and Presidential Pledge Impacting Tourism
As of May 4, Maldives Tourism Ministry statistics show 43,991 tourist arrivals from India. Last year, between January and April, Maldives recorded 73,785 tourist arrivals, whereas this year, the number stands at 42,638. The report attributed the sharp decline in Indian tourists to strained relations between India and the Maldives following the new administration led by President Mohamed Muizzu taking office in November last year.
India-Maldives relations have strained under President Muizzu, perceived as pro-China, who reiterated his election pledge to remove Indian military personnel after assuming office in November. Following his ascent to power, Muizzu compelled the withdrawal of 88 Indian military personnel from three aviation platforms gifted by India to the Maldives.
Previously, he accused India of interfering in Maldives’ affairs and won the presidential elections in September last year with an “India Out” campaign. The Maldives, India’s vital maritime neighbor in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), holds significance in initiatives such as ‘SAGAR’ (Security and Growth for All in the Region) and Modi government’s ‘Neighbourhood First Policy.’
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