Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu issued a public appeal on Monday, urging Indian tourists to visit the island nation. His call came during a joint press briefing with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi, marking his first statement on the matter following a diplomatic controversy involving two of his ministers. The timing is critical, as the Maldives faces a significant economic crisis, heavily dependent on tourism.
“Many Maldivians travel to India for tourism, medical purposes, education, and other needs. At the same time, many Indians contribute to the development of the Maldives. India is one of our largest tourism source markets, and we hope to welcome more Indian tourists,” Muizzu said. The Maldivian president is on a five-day visit to India, where economic cooperation is a key focus.
President Muizzu also expressed interest in initiating discussions on a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with India, stating, “We look forward to concluding a Free Trade Agreement with India, which will allow us to harness our full economic potential and increase Indian investments in both our tourism sector and various areas of development.”
The call for Indian tourists comes after a diplomatic fallout involving three Maldivian deputy ministers who made controversial remarks on social media regarding India’s decision to expand tourism in Lakshadweep. The remarks, which mocked Indian Prime Minister Modi, caused an uproar in India, leading to mass cancellations of tourist trips to the Maldives, severely impacting the island nation’s tourism-driven economy. In response, the Maldives Foreign Ministry distanced itself from the comments, stating they did not reflect the official stance of the government.
In an effort to mend relations, two junior ministers, Malsha Shareef and Mariyam Shiuna, who had been suspended for their derogatory remarks, resigned last month. Their resignation coincided with the announcement of President Muizzu’s upcoming visit to India, signaling a move towards diplomatic reconciliation.
Tourism is a cornerstone of the Maldivian economy, and India represents a significant share of its inbound visitors. The strained relations, sparked by the ministerial comments, had put considerable pressure on the Maldives’ tourism sector, which has been struggling amidst the broader economic downturn. President Muizzu’s appeal to Indian tourists is seen as a critical step in repairing ties and reviving the country’s vital tourism industry.
