India Trade Body Calls For Halt To Maldives Promotion Amid Diplomatic Row

India-Maldives Row: An appeal was made by the Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC) to cease the promotion of Maldives by all tourism and trade associations in the country, on Monday. This came amid the ongoing dispute over anti-India remarks from some Maldivian ministers.

A statement was issued by Subhash Goyal, the chairman of the trade body, urging the diversion of inquiries to Lakshadweep and Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Despite Indians being significant contributors to foreign exchange and job creation in Maldives, Goyal emphasized promoting alternative destinations like Sri Lanka, Mauritius, Bali, and Phuket in the Indian Ocean area.

Additionally, a plea was made to Indian carriers operating in Maldives to suspend operations and consider operating in Lakshadweep islands under the Udaan Scheme. Goyal urged members of FHRAI and the Hotel Association of India to explore investing in Lakshadweep islands, emphasizing potential better returns than Maldives in the future. The statement mentioned that STIC Travels had been instructed to halt the sale of Maldives.

Furthermore, EaseMyTrip has suspended all flight bookings to the Maldives, and MakeMyTrip reported a significant 3400% surge in on-platform searches for Lakshadweep following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent visit to the union territory.

India-Maldives row continues

• Racist remarks targeting India and mocking Modi's efforts to promote Lakshadweep were made by the deputy minister of Maldives and some other ministers last week.
• The comments triggered a social media outcry, with calls for a boycott of the island nation, and India raised the issue with Male.
• The Maldivian government distanced itself from the derogatory remarks, stating that the leaders' "opinions are personal and do not represent the views of the Government of Maldives."
• Emphasizing the need for responsible exercise of freedom of expression, the government pledged to take action against those making derogatory remarks.
• On Sunday, the Maldivian authorities suspended three ministers - Mariyam Shiuna, Malsha Shareef, and Mahzoom Majid - for their anti-India remarks.