In a recent development, the Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC) has called on all tourism and trade associations in the country to cease promoting the Maldives. This move comes in response to anti-Bharat remarks made by some Maldivian ministers, sparking tensions between the two nations. The ICC chairman, Subhash Goyal, released a statement emphasizing the need for a patriotic stance in the larger national interest.
Despite Bharat being significant contributors to the Maldives’ foreign exchange and job creation, Goyal urged tourism associations to redirect inquiries to other destinations. He suggested highlighting the scenic Lakshadweep and Andaman and Nicobar Islands as superior alternatives, along with promoting destinations like Sri Lanka, Mauritius, Bali, and Phuket in the Indian Ocean area.
Furthermore, Goyal appealed to Bharat carriers operating in the Maldives to suspend their operations and consider shifting to Lakshadweep islands under the Udaan Scheme. He encouraged members of FHRAI and the Hotel Association of India to invest in Lakshadweep, foreseeing better returns compared to the Maldives. The ICC chairman also revealed that STIC Travels has been instructed to halt the sale of Maldives packages.
The fallout has extended to online travel companies, with EaseMyTrip suspending all flight bookings to the Maldives. MakeMyTrip reported a staggering 3400% surge in searches for Lakshadweep on their platform following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to the union territory.
The controversy began when Maldivian ministers, including the deputy minister, made racist remarks targeting Bharat and ridiculing Modi’s efforts to promote Lakshadweep as a tourist destination. This triggered a strong response from Bharatiyas on social media, leading to calls for a boycott of the Maldives.
As Bharat raised the issue with Male, the Maldivian government distanced itself from the derogatory remarks, asserting that they were personal opinions and not reflective of the government’s views. The government emphasized the importance of exercising freedom of expression responsibly and stated that action would be taken against those making derogatory remarks. Over the weekend, the Maldivian authorities suspended three ministers for their anti-India comments – Mariyam Shiuna, Malsha Shareef, and Mahzoom Majid.
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