Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent visit to Lakshadweep, an archipelago of 36 islands in the Arabian Sea, has sparked an online debate, drawing comparisons between the picturesque region and the Maldives. However, this seemingly harmless discourse took a controversial turn, prompting a diplomatic row between India and the Maldives due to derogatory remarks made by certain Maldivian government officials and social media users towards PM Modi and India.
What is The Controversy?
The dispute arose when Maldivian Minister Mariyam Shiuna, in a now-deleted post, used disrespectful language, labelling PM Modi as a 'clown' and a 'puppet of Israel' in response to a video he shared from his Lakshadweep visit. This sparked uproar and raised concerns from India's side, leading to the suspension of Shiuna, along with two other ministers Malsha Shareef and Hassan Zihan by the Maldivian government on January 7th for their offensive comments.
3 Ministers Suspended Over Derogatory Remarks
The Maldives suspended three ministers, namely Maryam Shiuna, Malsha Shareef, and Mahzoom Majid, due to their offensive comments regarding PM Modi's Lakshadweep visit.
Historical Context of India-Maldives Diplomatic Tension
The strained relationship between India and the Maldives heightened following the assumption of office by Maldives' President Mohamed Muizzu in November last year.
Muizzu's hints at a foreign policy shift, signalling closer ties with China, contributed to the escalating tensions between the two nations.
The Maldives holds significant importance for India as a key maritime neighbour in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). It is a focal point in India's regional initiatives like 'SAGAR' (Security and Growth for All in the Region) and is central to PM Modi's 'Neighbourhood First Policy'.
When did PM Modi visit Lakshadweep?
PM Modi visited Lakshadweep on January 2nd and 3rd to inaugurate various projects. During his stay, he engaged in activities like snorkelling to explore marine life and shared his experiences, encouraging others to visit Lakshadweep for its adventurous opportunities.
Here are the top updates:
1. Mariyam Shiuna's Controversial Comments on PM Modi
Former Maldives minister Mariyam Shiuna, now suspended amidst a major controversy, sparked uproar by referring to PM Modi as a "clown" and "puppet" in posts that were subsequently deleted from a social media platform following the Prime Minister's posts about his Lakshadweep visit.
2. Abdulla Mahzoom Majid's Critique Escalates Tensions:
Another Maldivian Minister, Abdulla Mahzoom Majid, further heightened tensions by stating, in a now-deleted post, that India's explicit focus on the Maldives was undiplomatic. He expressed concerns about India's targeting of Maldives in tourism, citing the competitive challenge India faces in beach tourism against the Maldives due to the latter's superior resort infrastructure.
3. Focus on Indian Islands as Alternatives
Under the trending hashtag #ExploreIndianIslands, social media X witnessed Indians extolling the beauty of Indian islands, urging fellow citizens to prioritize them over the Maldives amidst the escalating tensions.
4. Social Media Boycott and Trending Hashtags
The controversy spurred a social media call for a boycott of the Maldives as a tourism destination, leading to the emergence of the hashtag 'BoycottMaldives' as a top trend in India. Reports indicate a significant number of scrapped holiday plans, which could significantly impact the Maldives' tourism-driven economy, to which Indian tourists contribute substantially.
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5. Predicted Decline in Maldives Travel
Tour operators anticipate a tangible decline in Maldives travel within the next 20-25 days. Rajiv Mehra, president of the Indian Association of Tour Operators, observed a sudden drop in inquiries and bookings, foreseeing a noticeable decrease in future travel to the Maldives despite existing payments.
6. Tourist Cancellations and Flight Suspensions
Indian tourists have cancelled over 8,000 hotel bookings and 2,500 flight tickets to the Maldives in response to the incident. India constituted the largest number of tourists visiting the Maldives, followed by Russia and China.
7. EaseMyTrip's Response and Promotion of Lakshadweep
EaseMyTrip CEO Nishant Pitti announced the suspension of all flight bookings to the Maldives and endorsed the 'Visit Lakshadweep' campaign, emphasising the scenic beauty of Lakshadweep's waters and beaches. The company pledged special offers to promote this domestic destination.
8. MakeMyTrip's Shift towards Indian Destinations
MakeMyTrip witnessed a surge in inquiries about Lakshadweep, recording a remarkable 3400% increase in on-platform searches since the PM's visit. The company launched a 'Beaches of India' campaign to highlight Indian beaches, offering attractive deals and discounts to encourage domestic travel.
9. Trending Hashtag #ExploreIndianIslands
#ExploreIndianIslands became the second-largest trending hashtag in India, with some users sharing screenshots of cancelled Maldives holiday bookings.
10. Former President Mohamed Nasheed's Reaction
Former Maldives president Mohamed Nasheed condemned the derogatory remarks made by Maldivian ministers against PM Modi, urging the Maldives government to distance itself from such language and provide assurance that these remarks do not represent government policy.
11. Maldives Government's Official Stand
In a statement, the Maldives government said, “The Government of Maldives is aware of derogatory remarks on social media platforms against foreign leaders and high-ranking individuals. These opinions are personal and do not represent the views of the Government of Maldives.”
12. Former Maldivian Leaders Urge Restraint, Emphasize India's Friendship:
a) Former Maldives sports minister Ahmed Mahloof expressed deep concern about the escalating tensions surrounding comments directed at our closest neighbour. Highlighting the potential economic impact of an Indian boycott, Mahloof urged the government to take swift and decisive action to address the issue, emphasizing the enduring bond between the Maldives and India.
b) Former Vice President Ahmed Adeeb labelled the incident regrettable and unsuitable for someone holding an elected position. He stressed the need for responsible behaviour and decried the disrespectful remarks directed at Prime Minister Modi, asserting that the Maldives' tourism thrives on values like tolerance and friendship, making such conduct unacceptable.
c) The Maldives National Party strongly condemned the racially charged and disparaging comments made by a government official against a foreign leader, denouncing such language as unacceptable.
d) Former foreign minister Abdullah Shahid denounced the derogatory comments as reprehensible and offensive, calling on the government to reprimand those responsible. Shahid emphasized the responsibility of public figures to uphold decorum, highlighting India's longstanding friendship, emphasizing mutual respect, shared history, and robust people-to-people relations.
e) Former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih condemned the usage of "hateful" language directed at India by Maldivian officials on social media, underscoring India's enduring friendship with the Maldives. Solih urged against allowing such thoughtless remarks to harm the age-old relationship between the two nations.
f) Former foreign minister Dunya Maumoon expressed deep concern over the situation, citing the foreign ministry's stance that while freedom of expression exists, the language used was unacceptable. Maumoon explicitly condemned any hint of racism in the discourse, aligning with the ministry's stance.
13. Confident that India and China will sort out issues: Russia
Russian Ambassador Denis Alipov has voiced optimism about India and China resolving their differences by leveraging their deep cultural insights. His remarks in New Delhi come at a crucial juncture, as India grapples with a diplomatic standoff involving the Maldives, a nation entangled in the broader power dynamics between India and China.
14: Maldives president begins China visit:
The new Maldivian President, Mohamed Muizzu, has demonstrated closeness to China, having advocated for the withdrawal of Indian military personnel from the Maldives upon assuming office. During his state visit from January 8-12, several agreements are set to be inked between China and the Maldives following discussions between Xi Jinping and Mohamed Muizzu. As confirmed by Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin, Xi Jinping will host a grand welcome ceremony and banquet for Muizzu, culminating in talks and the signing of cooperative agreements.
15. High Commissioner Ibrahim Shaheeb summoned:
Meanwhile, amid escalating diplomatic tensions, reports indicate that Indian High Commissioner Munu Mahawar engaged in discussions on bilateral matters with Maldives' Ambassador at Large, Dr Ali Naseer Mohamed, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Maldives. In response to the ongoing situation, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs summoned Maldives High Commissioner Ibrahim Shaheeb, signalling an intensified diplomatic exchange. Shaheeb promptly attended the summons at Delhi's South Block, indicative of the urgency surrounding these discussions.
16. Celebrities join online campaign:
a) Sachin Tendulkar: Renowned cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar, via a tweet on X, invited people to consider visiting Indian islands, citing his own delightful experience in Sindhudurg. Fondly recalling his 50th birthday celebration in the coastal town, he emphasized India's abundance of stunning coastlines and pristine islands. Tendulkar echoed the sentiment of embracing the "Atithi Devo Bhava" philosophy, urging individuals to explore and create enduring memories within their own country.
b) PV Sindhu: Badminton champion PV Sindhu, amidst the Maldives row, expressed her awe at the unparalleled beauty of Lakshadweep. Inspired by Prime Minister Modi's posts showcasing the serene sights of the region, Sindhu revealed plans for an upcoming visit with her family, expressing her eagerness to experience the mesmerizing blue waters and white beaches. She encouraged others to join in and #ExploreIndianIslands.
c) Akshay Kumar: Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar voiced his astonishment and disappointment over derogatory comments made by some public figures from the Maldives directed towards Indians. Despite his frequent visits and admiration for the Maldives, Kumar condemned the hateful and racist remarks, advocating dignity and urging support for domestic tourism. His statement, shared on X, emphasised the importance of exploring Indian islands.
d) John Abraham: Actor John Abraham, in a post on X, lauded the exceptional hospitality and diverse marine life found in Lakshadweep. Highlighting the Indian philosophy of "Atithi Devo Bhava," he encouraged people to explore the destination's offerings.
e) Shraddha Kapoor: Actress Shraddha Kapoor expressed her longing to explore the pristine beaches and thriving local culture of Lakshadweep. Enthused by the picturesque images, she contemplated an impromptu trip, advocating for others to #ExploreIndianIslands.
f) Salman Khan: Salman Khan commended PM Modi's visit to Lakshadweep, expressing delight in seeing the Prime Minister amidst the clean and stunning beaches, emphasizing the joy of these natural wonders being within India.
g) Bhumi Pednekar: Bollywood actor Bhumi Pednekar, amidst the Maldives row, highlighted India's vibrant coasts, best beaches, hospitality, and food. She revealed her intention to visit Lakshadweep and urged others to #ExploreIndianIslands.
h) Randeep Hooda: Actor Randeep Hooda expressed admiration for the pristine beauty and rich history of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, advocating them as a must-visit destination.
i) Pooja Hegde: Actor Pooja Hegde eagerly anticipated diving into Lakshadweep's vibrant culture, highlighting its captivating beauty that captures both the eyes and heart, inviting others to #ExploreIndianIslands.
j) Madhur Bhandarkar: Director Madhur Bhandarkar, inspired by PM Modi's visit, expressed being spellbound by the enchanting allure of Lakshadweep. He included this hidden gem at the top of his travel wishlist, encouraging others to explore its beauty.
k) Shilpa Shetty: Shilpa Shetty expressed her eagerness to include Lakshadweep's unparalleled beauty on her travel list, highlighting its crystal-clear waters and tranquil shores as an invitation for an unforgettable escape.
l) Varun Dhawan: Actor Varun Dhawan expressed his appreciation for PM Modi's visit to the beaches of Lakshadweep. Dhawan admitted to missing out on India's pristine beaches and eagerly anticipated booking his next holiday to #ExploreIndianIslands.
The controversy stemming from the comparison between Lakshadweep and the Maldives has not only sparked a heated online debate but has also led to diplomatic tensions between India and the Maldives. The suspension of the ministers reflects the seriousness with which both nations view respectful diplomatic conduct and the importance of maintaining cordial relations between neighbouring countries.
Image Source: NDTV/The Hindu/X
(With inputs from NDTV/The Hindu)
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