Why Modi's Beach Vacation in Maldives Triggers Controversy and Calls for Indian Tourism Boycott
Calls for an Indian boycott of Maldives tourism arise as three Maldivian officials mock Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, leading to backlash from Indian citizens and celebrities Domestic beaches are now being favored over the sun-kissed Maldives getaway
The Maldives is being threatened with a tourism boycott from one of its largest revenue sources after three officials made fun of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This led to Indian citizens and celebrities urging people to choose domestic beaches over the sun-kissed Maldives. The controversy began when Modi shared images of himself snorkeling and walking along a beach in Lakshadweep, a southern Indian island chain in the Laccadive Sea, near the coast of Kerala.
Modi's post did not include any mention of the beautiful Maldives, but his enthusiastic praise of the lesser-known archipelago's stunning scenery may have been interpreted as an attempt to attract tourists there instead of to the Maldives. Following his post, three Maldives officials criticized Modi, referring to him as a "clown," "terrorist," and a "puppet of Israel," as reported by Reuters.
The Maldivian government swiftly disassociated itself from the comments by suspending three officials - deputy ministers from the Ministry of Youth Employment, Information, and Arts, as per a senior Maldives official speaking to Reuters on Sunday.
In a statement, the Maldives government acknowledged the "derogatory" comments circulating on social media but emphasized that these "opinions are personal" and do not reflect its official stance.
"The government emphasizes the importance of exercising freedom of expression in a democratic and responsible manner, without spreading hatred, negativity, or obstructing the close relationships between the Maldives and its international partners," it said.
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Officials suspended for mocking Indian Prime Minister
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The incident comes at a sensitive time, as Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu embarks on a five-day visit to China, his first as President following his election win last October.
Muizzu has gained recognition for his favorable position towards China and has promised to depart from his predecessors' "India first" approach in an area where New Delhi and Beijing compete for power.
During his visit, he is anticipated to engage in discussions with Chinese authorities and finalize "important agreements to enhance trade, professional, and socioeconomic progress," as per an official government announcement.
Although Muizzu is eager to strengthen its relationship with Beijing, the Maldives, a small Indian Ocean archipelago with a population of around half a million, cannot risk straining its ties with its nearest neighbor. The Maldives is heavily reliant on tourism, with a significant portion of its income coming from India. In fact, the largest group of tourists visiting the Maldives' tropical beaches last year were from India, according to the Maldives tourism website.
Tourists disembark from a seaplane at a resort in Baa Atoll in Maldives on September 24, 2023.
In 2023, Indian tourists accounted for 11% of the tourism market in Maldives with over 209,000 trips, according to recent statistics. Russia also contributed a similar amount, and China closely followed with 187,118 visits, making up 10% of the total.
This angered some Indian tourists who had canceled their trips to the Maldives, and they shared screenshots on social media using the hashtag #BoycottMaldives. Prominent figures, including Bollywood actors and cricket players, encouraged fans to visit local destinations instead, with the hashtag #ChaloLakshadweep gaining popularity, meaning "Let's go to Lakshadweep," where Modi had visited.
Included in the group was the Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar, recognized for his roles in films with a patriotic focus. He condemned the comments made by Maldivian officials as "racist and hateful."
"We have always been friendly to our neighbors, but there is no reason for us to endure unwarranted hatred. I have visited the Maldives numerous times and have always spoken highly of it, but our dignity must come first. Let's choose to #ExploreIndianIslands and promote our own tourism," he stated.
EaseMyTrip, an Indian travel site, announced on Monday that it has temporarily halted flight bookings to the Maldives. CEO and co-founder Nishant Pitti stated, "In solidarity with our nation, @EaseMyTrip has suspended all Maldives flight bookings."
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Maldives Foreign Minister Moosa Zameer criticized the officials' remarks as "unacceptable," affirming the country's dedication to "building a positive and constructive dialogue with our partners." A source informed CNN on Monday that the Indian High Commission in Maldives had "strongly raised and expressed concerns" to the Maldivian Foreign Office.
According to Michael Kugelman, the director of the South Asia Institute at the Wilson Center in Washington, the swift action taken by the Maldives government to suspend officials and condemn their remarks demonstrates the importance it places on its relationship with India. Kugelman believes that while there may be challenges in the future, the new leadership in the Maldives is ultimately committed to preserving its ties with India.
"I would contend that this government in Maldives is going to want to balance its relations with both India and China."
