India-Maldives Row: The ongoing spat between India and the Maldives took the position of three Deputy Ministers of Maldives. India-Maldives row emerged with Prime Minister Modi's visit to Lakshadweep and ensuing social media remarks from Maldivian officials. Indian Union Territory Lakshadweep, known for its gorgeous beaches, welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the early days of January. He shared photos and videos of his trip on social media, promoting Lakshadweep as a potential alternative tourist destination to the Maldives.
Recently, I had the opportunity to be among the people of Lakshadweep. I am still in awe of the stunning beauty of its islands and the incredible warmth of its people. I had the opportunity to interact with people in Agatti, Bangaram and Kavaratti. I thank the people of the… pic.twitter.com/tYW5Cvgi8N
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 4, 2024
This article is a concise breakdown of India-Maldives row leading to strained diplomatic relations between two island nations. Here are 10 key points to understand the situation:
- On January 2nd, 2024, PM Modi shared a tweet showcasing his visit to Lakshadweep, highlighting its natural beauty and potential as a tourist destination. This seemingly innocent deed unintentionally created a storm.
- Maldivian Tourism Minister Abdulla Mahzoom Majid and MP Mariyam Shiuna expressed a discouragement about India promoting Lakshadweep as a competitor to the lucrative tourism industry of Maldives. Majid's tweet even accused India of "targeting" the Maldives. The now deleted tweet by Abdulla Mahzoom Majid read, “While I wish success for India's tourism, targeting the Maldives so explicitly isn't diplomatic. India faces significant challenges competing in beach tourism, considering our resort infrastructure exceeds their total islands.”
- Unfortunately, the discourse expanded further with derogatory comments on PM Modi. These remarks, though not officially endorsed by the Maldivian government, created significant outrage in India. The deleted tweet by Mariyam Shiuna called PM Modi a "clown" and "puppet" in now-deleted posts on X after the Prime Minister posted pictures of his visit to Lakshadweep.
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- The social media conflict strained the previously friendly ties between India and Maldives, and their strategic security interests and close cultural links. Official channels expressed concern, urging Maldivian authorities to take action against the offensive language.
- While tourism rivalry played a role, the incident cannot be seperated from the broader geopolitical context. The Maldives' recent shift towards closer ties with China could be a contributing factor to the underlying tension.
- Both governments are working to de-escalate the situation. The Maldives' swift action in suspending the officials and offering apologies signals a desire to maintain strong ties with India.
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- The government of the Maldives has suspended three deputy ministers after they made derogatory remarks about India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi on social media. The Maldivian government, acknowledging the seriousness of the situation, promptly suspended the three officials responsible for the derogatory remarks. Also, they condemned such online conduct and reiterated the importance of maintaining strong India-Maldives relations.
- Malsha Shareef, Mariyam Shiuna and Abdulla Mahzoom Majid who all worked for the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Information and Arts were disciplined for their comments against PM Modi on social media, a senior government official told Reuters on Sunday.
- PM Modi's visit wasn't just about tourism. He inaugurated an important submarine optical fiber connection and laid the foundation for healthcare and educational infrastructure projects in Lakshadweep. These initiatives aim to improve the archipelago's social and economic development.
- The controversy has negatively impacted Indian travel plans to the Maldives. Calls for boycotts, though not officially encouraged, reflect the public's anger and hurt sentiments. Some Indian celebrities including Bollywood actors and sports stars expressed their discontent over the Maldives officials’ remarks.
It is so cool to see our Hon PM Narendrabhai Modi at the beautiful clean n stunning beaches of Lakshadweep, and the best part is that yeh hamare India mein hain.
— Salman Khan (@BeingSalmanKhan) January 7, 2024
Extremely sad to see what’s being said about India. With its gorgeous marine life, beautiful beaches, Lakshadweep is the perfect get away spot and surely a must visit for me for my next holiday 🫶 #ExploreIncredibleIndia pic.twitter.com/UA7suQArLB
— hardik pandya (@hardikpandya7) January 7, 2024
Came across comments from prominent public figures from Maldives passing hateful and racist comments on Indians. Surprised that they are doing this to a country that sends them the maximum number of tourists.
— Akshay Kumar (@akshaykumar) January 7, 2024
We are good to our neighbors but
why should we tolerate such… pic.twitter.com/DXRqkQFguN
This whole episode highlights the importance of bilateral relations from the two countries' potential of social media outbursts to disrupt ties. The India-Maldives row, all around a few tweets and posts, marks the complex exchange between tourism and geopolitics to shape international relations.
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