Issues With India: Maldives Seeks China's Help!
If Indians stop going there, then it would not take much time for the Maldives to get into deep crisis and financial troubles.
By: Tupaki Desk | 10 Jan 2024 7:11 AM GMT
When the South Asian nation Maldives got a new President there were many doubts about the diplomatic ties between India and Maldives. Over the decades, the two nations have been maintaining good ties on various aspects. But things are not going well between India and Maldives.
Newly elected President Mohamed Muizzu hinted at his regime by asking the Indian troops to vacate the nation after the win. This is a big concern to India that Muizzu is dubbed as pro-China and China having an advantage in Maldives will always be a concern to India.
In what could be a strategic move, India is trying to push Lakshadweep as a big travel destination. Indian Prime Minister visited the UT and explored the locations there. His visit left a big impact on Maldives with Indians preferring Lakshadweep over Maldives.
Things escalated quickly with a few Ministers making objectionable comments on India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Sensing the danger of this, the Ministers were reportedly sacked by the administration. The Boycott Maldives trend is going on with Indians preferring Lakshadweep.
Indians are searching on how to go to the Union Territory and travel companies are seeing a big rise in inquiries. EaseMyTrip announced that it will not accept bookings for Maldives. Indian Celebrities also came forward to promote our very own Lakshadweep, which has many beautiful locations.
This is not a good sight for Maldives which is largely dependent on tourism. Indians make up to the major share of tourists who go there. If Indians stop going there, then it would not take much time for the Maldives to get into deep crisis and financial troubles.
Now Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu is said to have sought support from China in the wake of issues with India. Saying that China has been the big market, he requested China to send more tourists to help revive.
On the other hand, a deal was reportedly approved for an integrated tourism zone in the Maldives between it and China. The cost of the project is around $50 million.
