The Maldives is currently facing challenges in its relationship with the world's most
populous country, which contributes 11% of its tourist influx. This situation arose when Prime Minister
Narendra Modi of India visited Lakshadweep and shared his travel experiences with people, aiming to promote
tourism in the tiny archipelago located approximately 150 miles from the Indian mainland.
Prime Minister Modi's efforts to include these exotic islands in the vacation plans of
individuals were met with disapproval from Maldivian ministers. In response, they mocked the Prime Minister
with critical remarks on social media Platform X.
Although the government later distanced itself from these comments, the incident was
sufficient time for influential Indian personalities, including cricketers, actors, and common citizens, to
rally in support. Notable figures such as Akshay Kumar, Salman Khan, John Abraham, and Jahnvi Kapoor started
promoting Indian beaches with hashtags such as #ExploreIndianIslands and #ChaloLakshwadeep.
Simultaneously, the hashtag #BoycottMaldives gained traction, leading to a wave of
criticism on various platforms. The Indian travel site, EaseMyTrip, reported cancellations of bookings for
Maldives, prompting the launch of new packages for Indian islands, particularly Lakshadweep, by several
travel agencies. Responding to this, Indian traders collectively called for a suspension of business
activities with the Maldives.
Amidst these developments, there is a potential for a surge in tourist numbers to luxury
destinations, as currently, approximately 10,000 tourists visit Lakshadweep annually.