https://sputniknews.in/20240106/tensions-rise-as-boycott-maldives-trends-on-x-straining-new-delhi--male-ties-6109881.html
Tensions Rise as 'Boycott Maldives' Trends on X Straining New Delhi & Male Ties
Tensions Rise as 'Boycott Maldives' Trends on X Straining New Delhi & Male Ties
Sputnik India
The Maldives' $6 billion GDP is largely dependent on tourism, with Indian tourists accounting for nearly a quarter of foreign arrivals to the country.
2024-01-06T19:45+0530
2024-01-06T19:45+0530
2024-01-09T13:06+0530
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'Boycott Maldives' became a top trend on social networking site X on Saturday, just 48 hours after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Lakshadweep, an archipelago in the Arabian Sea, amid strained relations between New Delhi and Male.Relations between India and the Maldives have been rocky since the latter's new president, Mohamed Muizzu, who came to power in November, asked New Delhi to withdraw its military personnel from the archipelago last month.Around 75 Indian military personnel are currently stationed in the Maldives.Almost all of the Indian military personnel stationed in the Maldives are there to maintain and operate Indian defence platforms, such as Dornier aircraft and helicopters, which are essential for carrying out Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations in many of the Maldivian islands.Interestingly, the Maldives has acknowledged that Indian planes and helicopters are only involved in rescue and relief operations, often saving the lives of stranded tourists from uninhabited islands.However, Muizzu has repeatedly called on India to withdraw its forces from the archipelago, straining relations between the two nations.In this way, the netizens pointed out, India would be able to get back at the Maldives for not recognising New Delhi's contributions to sustaining its democracy.Previously, the Indian Armed Forces prevented a coup in the Maldives in 1988, allowing democracy to flourish there.
https://sputniknews.in/20240106/modi-sends-out-strong-message-to-maldives-through-lakshadweep-visit-6097729.html
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Tensions Rise as 'Boycott Maldives' Trends on X Straining New Delhi & Male Ties
19:45 06.01.2024 (Updated: 13:06 09.01.2024) The Maldives' $6 billion GDP is largely dependent on tourism, with Indian tourists accounting for nearly a quarter of foreign arrivals to the country.
'Boycott Maldives' became a top trend on social networking site X on Saturday, just 48 hours after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Lakshadweep, an archipelago in the Arabian Sea, amid strained relations between New Delhi and Male.
After Modi's stay in Lakshadweep, where he promoted the island's tourism industry by taking part in activities such as snorkelling, Mariyam Shiuna, Maldives' deputy minister for youth empowerment, called the Indian leader a "clown", angering citizens of the South Asian country.
Relations between India and the Maldives have been rocky since the latter's new president, Mohamed Muizzu, who came to power in November, asked New Delhi to withdraw its military personnel from the archipelago last month.
Around 75 Indian military personnel are currently stationed in the Maldives.
Almost all of the Indian military personnel stationed in the Maldives are there to maintain and operate Indian defence platforms, such as
Dornier aircraft and helicopters, which are essential for carrying out Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations in many of the Maldivian islands.
Interestingly, the Maldives has acknowledged that Indian planes and helicopters are only involved in rescue and relief operations, often saving the lives of stranded tourists from uninhabited islands.
However, Muizzu has repeatedly called on India to withdraw its forces from the archipelago, straining relations between the two nations.
Against this backdrop, Indian social media users urged their compatriots to boycott the Maldives and go to Lakshadweep instead. They claimed that Lakshadweep was as beautiful as the Maldives and that Indians should spend their holidays there.
In this way, the netizens pointed out, India would be able to get back at the Maldives for not recognising New Delhi's contributions to sustaining its democracy.
Previously, the Indian Armed Forces prevented a coup in the Maldives in 1988, allowing democracy to flourish there.
