A diplomatic controversy has erupted between India and the Maldives following derogatory remarks made by Maldivian ministers on social media, targeting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Union Minister Ramdas Athawale condemned the comments, calling them insulting. In response to a video of PM Modi promoting tourism in the Lakshadweep archipelago, Maldivian ministers labeled him a 'clown,' 'terrorist,' and 'puppet of Israel.' This has led to a backlash in India, with calls for a boycott of the Maldives by Indian tourists and traders. Amidst the row, EaseMyTrip, one of India's largest online travel platforms, has suspended bookings to the Maldives and is promoting Lakshadweep and Ayodhya as alternative tourist destinations. Prashant Pitti, co-founder of EaseMyTrip, stated that they want to see these Indian locations become international destinations. The company also acknowledged a potential temporary dip in international tourism due to their decision. MakeMyTrip reported a remarkable 3400% increase in on-platform searches for Lakshadweep since PM Modi's visit. The Maldives Association of Tourism Industry (MATI) has condemned the comments made by the deputy ministers, and the Maldivian government has suspended three ministers involved in the incident. Former Maldives Foreign Minister Dunya Maumoon expressed concern over the developments, while former Defence Minister Mariya Ahmed Didi highlighted India's assistance to the Maldives. Union MoS for External Affairs Meenakashi Lekhi and Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri also commented on the situation, emphasizing India's diversity of tourist destinations. Meekail Ahmed Naseem, an MP from the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party, has requested the Parliament Speaker to summon the Foreign minister for questioning regarding the derogatory remarks. In the midst of the controversy, Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu is courting investors in China, with the two nations upgrading their relationship to a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership during his state visit. This pivot towards China includes infrastructure deals and is seen as a shift away from India, following a campaign where President Muizzu won on an 'India Out' plank. Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks with President Mohamed Muizzu, setting the stage for further Chinese investment in the Indian Ocean archipelago.
Indian tourists in Maldives upbeat for Lakshadweep's footfall surge after PM Modi's visit Read @ANI Story | https://t.co/9LTjgLUpJV #Ayodhya #PMModi #Lakshadweep https://t.co/C3ahZE1548
Indian tourists at Velana International Airport, Malé, Maldives optimistic about Lakshadweep’s footfall surge after PM Modi's visit "I hope that things (India-Maldives row) will be sorted out soon. But I must say, that here it is very expensive. Our Indian islands are very… https://t.co/YbiAF8Pf99
Some in #India suggested that boosting tourism in #Lakshadweep would be a good idea, where some in the #Maldives saw #Modi's visit as an attempt to project #Lakshadweep as an alternative tourist destination to the #Maldives, highlights Harsh V. Pant https://t.co/8Mgh698NEY
Here's everything to know about Indian tourists' boycott of the Maldives: https://t.co/cc6tvMDrA2
China, Maldives upgrade ties with infrastructure deals in pivot from India https://t.co/lAP2ySYpTV
Chinese Premier Li Qiang met with President of the Republic of Maldives Mohamed Muizzu, who is on a state visit to China, in Beijing on Thursday. Li said China is willing to work with the Maldives to follow the important strategic guidance of the two heads of state and… https://t.co/dBspdgoNtx
#Indian citizens refusing to visit #Maldives—an island nation whose recently elected President #Muizzu won on the “India Out” plank, and three of whose ministers made racist remarks about #India, highlights @gchikermane https://t.co/hyWq63yO3k
#Maldives President Meets #China's Xi Jinping Amid Row With #India Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu Muizzu is visiting China amid the row with India after some Maldivian ministers posted derogatory remarks against PM Modi. Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday held talks… https://t.co/rKy7Yqi98H
#Lakshadweep shares much with the #Maldives, but it’s more alluring as it remains somewhat unexplored. https://t.co/0g46pmcOv3 https://t.co/JCP9Ogx4Wi
India-Maldives spat: Foreign tourists, locals vouch for Indian destinations Read @ANI Story | https://t.co/4MfIF1K2W4 #India #Maldives #ForeignTourists #IndianDestinations https://t.co/e3pXc2ZV6E
NEW: China and Maldives upgrade ties with infrastructure deals https://t.co/2t8nmpcMgt
Maldives: Maldivians debate India's 'boycott' of their nation https://t.co/inwsJGzNG3
Maldives president meets Xi, woos Chinese tourists amid India spat https://t.co/HGTrPKn1R5 Bollywood stars, other Indians urge boycott over island ministers' remarks on Modi.
When Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted pictures of himself on the pristine beaches of a tiny Indian archipelago this month, he triggered a spat with a favored island destination of Indians: the Maldives https://t.co/H8YEIfy3Hd https://t.co/H8YEIfy3Hd
Maldives Pivots to China: President Muizzu Strengthens Ties Amid Diplomatic Row with India https://t.co/biCpEXr7fk
#Maldives would do well to look at #India’s record of #maritime assistance; the Indian Navy is an acknowledged first responder during regional crises and a favoured #security partner for many #SouthAsian states. From @abhijit227 https://t.co/8N2WBUMek1
China and Maldives upgraded their relationship during President Mohamed Muizzu's state visit to Beijing, setting the stage for further Chinese investment in the Indian Ocean archipelago READ: https://t.co/dVmZUTUCgX https://t.co/iBZlLtPhyN
Maldives upgrades ties with China amid pivot from India, paving the way for more Chinese investment READ: https://t.co/dVmZUTVa6v https://t.co/RYANluOUU6
Maldivian President attends Chinese state banquet amid row with India Read @ANI Story | https://t.co/DzaARCajy4 #Maldives #China #India #XiJinping #Muizzu https://t.co/kTstOI8KNl
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is facing backlash from the Maldives after he promoted tourism on Lakshadweep islands, with officials accusing him of being a "puppet of Israel" https://t.co/hSpI6kiEl5
Maldives enhances relations with China as it shifts away from India https://t.co/4aICYnXIEs https://t.co/z0XAkozkeQ
Maldives upgrades ties with China amid pivot from India https://t.co/GOmKQNossO https://t.co/T1uztn3b2A
⚠️ MALDIVES UPGRADES TIES WITH CHINA AMID PIVOT FROM INDIA (Reuters) China and the Maldives upgraded their relationship on Wednesday during newly elected President Mohamed Muizzu's first state visit to Beijing, following a campaign in which he cast China's regional rival India… https://t.co/1oCibnKZuD
Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks with the President of the Republic of Maldives Mohamed Muizzu in Beijing on Wednesday. The two heads of state announced the elevation of bilateral ties to a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership. https://t.co/N7h4mheg3W
India and Maldives are currently locked in a diplomatic controversy as President Mohamed Muizzu visits Beijing. https://t.co/EyfkRvOfDL https://t.co/fNJFPgsaw0
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Lakshadweep beach picture triggered a diplomatic row with the Maldives, as officials slammed him as a "puppet of Israel," accusing him of attempting to divert tourists from their nation https://t.co/hSpI6kiEl5
#WATCH | Amid row with India, Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu's visit to China, Meekail Ahmed Naseem, an MP from the opposition says, "I am sad to see that Maldives has steered away from its age-old foreign policy that always put India first...It's disappointing that govt has… https://t.co/FtMYBpnPRQ
#WATCH | India-Maldives row, Meekail Ahmed Naseem, an MP from the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party says, "I've requested the Parliament Speaker to summon the Foreign minister to the Parliament for questioning regarding derogatory remarks by some of the senior officials.… https://t.co/atNDpxY3ri
Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks with President of the Republic of Maldives Mohamed Muizzu in Beijing on Wednesday.
The Maldives accused Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi of being a "puppet of Israel" after he promoted Lakshadweep tourism, prompting a social media spat and criticism over potential tourism loss for the Maldives https://t.co/hSpI6kiEl5
Social media uproar may cost the Maldives millions, as feud with India intensifies https://t.co/1uH3mLJOgM
Maldives president Muizzu's appeal to China amid Indian tourist backlash https://t.co/3HDQBm0JyK
Why India is boycotting Maldives over President Modi's trip to beach https://t.co/GuPrZSSfrS
#WATCH | On India-Maldives row, Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri says, "As far as Maldives is concerned, I think what the Prime Minister did was to take a walk and enjoyed the pristine waters of Lakshwadeep. If anybody says anything about India, there will be natural… https://t.co/hRZaik8IyR
"China remains one of the closest allies of the Maldives, which will expand its cooperation with Beijing under the Belt and Road Initiative, its President Mohamed Muizzu told a business forum in southeastern China on Tuesday." https://t.co/ef1feq7gDq
#Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu begins #China visit aimed at deepening bilateral ties, as the archipelagic nation pirouettes away from neighboring #India. https://t.co/bOR8ySWNVo
Maldives president courts investors in China as ties with India sag https://t.co/wk21w5STN2 https://t.co/KT2oK4PJqz
At an ‘Invest Maldives’ forum in a southern Chinese port city, the Maldivian president shook hands and exchanged words with smiling local officials on a China visit set to deepen bilateral ties as the archipelagic nation pirouettes away from India https://t.co/7HoZVISfmJ
⚠️ MALDIVES PRESIDENT COURTS INVESTORS IN CHINA AS TIES WITH INDIA SAG Full Story → https://t.co/e0RQquD4tv https://t.co/BvQJCl5k0D
#WATCH Port Blair: On the India-Maldives row, President of the Association of Tour Operators in Andaman & Nicobar, Mohan Vinod says, "PM Modi visited Lakshadweep just like any other part of India, and there's nothing wrong in that... A year ago, PM Modi started the 'Dekho Apna… https://t.co/wTQvETMsKl
After tourists, now traders call for Maldives boycott as backlash over anti-Modi remarks deepens https://t.co/1lYCQpk5rV
One of India’s biggest online travel platforms halted bookings to the Maldives, amid an increasingly fraught diplomatic spat that began when officials in the tourism-dependent island nation derided Indian leader Narendra Modi on social media https://t.co/w5wFNEg3Fm
The Maldives Association of Tourism Industry (MATI) strongly condemns the derogatory comments made by some Deputy Ministers on social media platforms, directed towards the Prime Minister of India, His Excellency Narendra Modi as well as the people of India: Maldives Association… https://t.co/QJkAWBkKq6
PM Modi's recent tourism campaign in India's tropical island territory of Lakshadweep has stirred controversy with Maldives government officials who believe that India cannot compete with their nation's renowned tourist hotspots ⤵️ https://t.co/4cuWw4yMD2
India raps Maldives envoy as boycott chorus rises https://t.co/IluTYC1NfU
Some in the Maldives were critical of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s trip to nearby Indian islands to promote tourism, seeing it as an attempt to draw visitors away from their nation. https://t.co/U4QIMWEC3W
Deputy Maldivian ministers called Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi a "clown,” "terrorist," and "puppet of Israel” after speculating that his trip to India’s Lakshadweep archipelago was a challenge to Maldivian tourism. https://t.co/YrC8ZaXek7
The #Israeli embassy in India promoted tourism in #Lakshadweep amid the #India-#Maldives diplomatic row over remarks made by Maldivian ministers after PM Modi's visit. Read: https://t.co/x2qP1LvIip https://t.co/FxP7Pj6kWX
#India - #Maldives row escalates, Indian travel agency suspends flight bookings to islands This after 3 Maldives deputy ministers called Indian PM Modi a "clown", "terrorist" and "puppet of Israel" on social media platform X, in response to a video of him visiting the Indian… https://t.co/1fdZ0G5Z2Z
#WATCH | Male: On the row over Maldives MP's post on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Former Maldives Defence Minister Mariya Ahmed Didi says, "I would think as close friends, as neighbours, as part of the global community, and we would keep our international commitments and… https://t.co/8LipQWAprF
Indians go '#VocalForLocal' amid #Maldives row; Male swings into damage control fearing tourist backlash: Key developments Read: https://t.co/IFZ3UzAeU3 https://t.co/UvFomuYzal
#WATCH | Male: On the row over Maldives MP's post on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Former Maldives Defence Minister Mariya Ahmed Didi says, "We have never had the (Indian) troops in the traditional sense in the Maldives. As part of the defence cooperation, India has offered us… https://t.co/a4EBW2sXN1
#WATCH | Male: On the row over Maldives MP's post on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Former Maldives Defence Minister Mariya Ahmed Didi says, "It is the short-sightedness on the part of the present administration... We are a small country who are friends with all, but we cannot… https://t.co/Ism51OQJL8
#WATCH | Male: On the row over Maldives MP's post on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Former Maldives Defence Minister Mariya Ahmed Didi says, "... India has been our 911 call, whenever we need it, we give a call and you all come to our rescue. That kind of a friend. When you see… https://t.co/9X64vqwWwg
The #Lakshadweep vs #Maldives debate online has caused controversy after Maldives ministers insulted PM #NarendraModi in response to his video promoting Lakshadweep. Amid the furore, popular travel platform #MakemyTrip has said that there has been a huge increase in searches… https://t.co/YRvlWcHlCg
Maldives ex-FM condemns derogatory comments, calls for de-escalation amid diplomatic tensions with India Read @ANI Story | https://t.co/yHREkR8fMy #Maldives #India #NarendraModi #PMModi #Lakshdweep #MohamedMuizzu https://t.co/vWsz4n7Nct
India-Maldives row: EaseMyTrip suspends flight bookings, Indians cancel planned trips The company said it will promote #Lakshadweep over foreign locations, even though the platform might witness a "temporary dip in international tourism." https://t.co/rbhtq9Q0Tr
#WATCH | Amroha, UP: On the Government of Maldives suspending three ministers who made objectionable remarks against PM Narendra Modi, Union MoS for External Affairs Meenakashi Lekhi says, "...India has a diversity of places where one can visit- right from coastal areas like… https://t.co/cVS0HxjMFU
#WATCH | On the row over Maldives MP's post on PM Modi's visit to Lakshadweep, Raj Rishi Singh, Chief Marketing and Business Officer, MakeMyTrip says "Lakshadweep has seen a remarkable 3400% increase in on-platform searches ever since PM's visit. This inspired us to build a… https://t.co/xFYSBUsitc
#WATCH | Male, Maldives: On India's assistance to Maldives, former Maldives Foreign Minister Dunya Maumoon says, "I remember projects such as the Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital and many other such landmarks in the defence area, there has been close cooperation...This… https://t.co/Za7XgpwIJE
#WATCH | Male, Maldives: On the row over Maldives MP's post on PM Modi's visit to Lakshadweep, former Foreign Minister Dunya Maumoon says, "I was deeply concerned to see the developments. Our foreign ministry very clearly stated that though we have freedom of expression the kind… https://t.co/ijDstBkUGu
"Amid the row over Maldives MP's post on PM Modi's visit to Lakshadweep, we have decided that we will not accept any bookings for #Maldives...We want #Ayodhya and #Lakshadweep to turn out as international destinations," Prashant Pitti, co-founder EaseMyTrip says. https://t.co/0ASBG30TtN
#WATCH | Bengaluru: Co-founder of EaseMyTrip, Prashant Pitti says, "Our company has recently taken the decision to not accept bookings for Maldives. The reason for this is the row over Maldives MP's post on PM Modi's visit to Lakshadweep. We have taken this decision to establish… https://t.co/UjCioATqkK
EaseMyTrip takes a stand: No Maldives bookings amid controversy, promotes Lakshadweep and Ayodhya for tourism boost Read @ANI Story | https://t.co/8w1LGeBOLb #EaseMyTrip #Maldives #Lakshadweep #Tourism https://t.co/soWRCdbYoF
#Maldives would do well to look at #India’s record of #maritime assistance; the IN is an acknowledged first responder during regional crises and a favoured #security partner for many #SouthAsian states. From @abhijit227 https://t.co/8N2WBUMM9z
#WATCH | On the row over Maldives MP's post on PM Modi's visit to Lakshadweep, Union Minister Ramdas Athawale says, "...The remarks by a few people in Maldives are insulting. We condemn this..." https://t.co/ntRS7wPjmt