Modi’s Beach Pics Create Tremors In Maldives

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to Lakshadweep deepened the crisis in the strained relationship with neighbouring Maldives after a post by minister Abdulla Mahzoom Majid claiming that India is shifting focus from the Maldives by promoting the archipelago as a tourist spot.

Further, the Maldives government has reportedly suspended three of its ministers for their derogatory remarks against Modi, amidst the row. The ministers suspended include Hassan Zihan, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Transport and Civil, Mariyam Shiuna – Deputy Minister of Youth Empowerment, Information and Arts and Malsha, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Youth Empowerment, as per Maldives local media.

By this act, the Maldives government distanced itself from the derogatory remarks made by their ministers and leaders of the ruling party against Narendra Modi.

The Maldives government said ‘opinions are personal and do not represent the views of the Government of Maldives’, according to an official statement.

The government asserted that it believes freedom of expression should be “exercised in a democratic and responsible manner” and said that relevant authorities of the Government will not hesitate to take action against those who make such derogatory remarks.

The row gained further media glare after celebrities like Bollywood actors Salman Khan, Akshay Kumar, Randeep Hooda, John Abraham, Shraddha Kapoor cricketer Sachin Tendulkar, etc. voluntarily chipped in and offered to promote Lakshadweep as a tourist destination. Sachin Tendulkar’s social media post about his 50th birthday celebrations at Sindhdurg district in Maharashtra and support to promotion of Indian beaches accentuated the India-Maldives row.

Last week, Modi went snorkelling and shared his “exhilarating experience” of the islands in the Arabian Sea.

Further, Majid said that India faces significant challenges in competing with the Maldives in beach tourism. This standoff between India and Maldives gains significance amid strained ties between the two countries following President Mohamed Muizzu’s ascent to power in November last year.

Modi’s social media posts of his Lakshadweep tour not only increased Google searches about the archipelago but also made several other tourists to cancel their trips to Maldives and reschedule tickets to Lakshadweep. Travel enquiries to Lakshadweep also increased exponentially following Modi’s night stay at the islands.

Muizzu, a leader of the Progressive Alliance, which is a coalition of the Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) and the People’s National Congress (PNC), is considered pro-China.

His opponent former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih had good ties with New Delhi and the bilateral relations progressed between the two nations during the latter’s tenure.