Maldives, experiencing a significant downturn in tourism from Bharat. The decline comes amidst strained bilateral relations between the two nations, exacerbated by recent political developments and inflammatory remarks made by Maldivian officials towards Bharat and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
In an attempt to mitigate the tourism decline, Maldives’ Tourism Minister, Ibrahim Faisal, reached out to Bharatiya tourists, urging them to visit the archipelago and support its economy, which heavily relies on tourism.
Faisal emphasized the longstanding historical ties between Bharat and the Maldives and expressed the new government’s desire for collaboration and friendly relations.
VIDEO | Here’s what Tourism Minister of Maldives Ibrahim Faisal said on India-Maldives relations.
“We have a history. Our newly elected government also wants to work together (with India). We always promote peace and a friendly environment. Our people and the government will… pic.twitter.com/xFgEkgEunv
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) May 6, 2024
The decline in Bharatiya tourists follows derogatory remarks made by three Maldivian officials against Bharat and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. These comments sparked a backlash on social media, with calls for boycotting Maldives gaining traction.
Consequently, tourism statistics reflected a substantial decrease, with Bharat slipping from the top position to sixth in tourist arrivals after January.
Reports revealed a stark 42% decline in Bharatiya tourist arrivals during the first four months of the year compared to the same period last year. According to Tourism Ministry statistics, only 43,991 Bharatiya tourists visited the Maldives by May 4, contrasting sharply with the 73,785 arrivals during the same period in the last year.
The strained relations between Bharat and the Maldives stem from the inauguration of President Mohamed Muizzu’s administration, which has adopted a pro-China stance.
Muizzu’s pledge to remove Bharatiya military personnel from the nation further escalated tensions. His actions resulted in the withdrawal of 88 Bharatiya military personnel stationed at aviation platforms gifted by Bharat.
Recent bilateral discussions between Bharat and the Maldives have focused on the withdrawal of Bharatiya military personnel, a process mandated by Muizzu’s administration to be completed by May 10.
The fourth session of a high-level core group overseeing this substitution took place in New Delhi, indicating ongoing efforts to address the issue diplomatically.
As political tensions between Bharat and the Maldives persist, the tourism sector in the archipelago faces significant challenges. The decline in Bharatiya tourist arrivals underscores the impact of strained bilateral relations on the Maldives’ economy, highlighting the need for diplomatic resolutions to restore confidence and promote tourism in the region.
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