New Delhi
CNN
 — 

Maldives is dealing with a boycott from one in all its largest sources of tourism earnings after three of its officers mocked India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi, sparking calls from Indian residents and celebrities to shun the sun-kissed getaway for home seashores as a substitute.

The controversy erupted after Modi posted pictures to social platform X of himself snorkeling and strolling alongside a seaside in Lakshadweep, a southern Indian island chain within the Laccadive Sea, off the coast of Kerala.

Modi didn’t point out India’s picturesque neighbor Maldives in his submit, however his effusive reward of the attractive surroundings of the lesser-known archipelago might have been seen as a attraction offensive to attract folks there for trip somewhat than Maldives.

Three Maldives officers responded to his submit, describing Modi as a “clown,” “terrorist” and a “puppet of Israel,” in line with Reuters.

The Maldives authorities moved shortly to distance itself from their feedback, suspending the three officers – deputy ministers with the Ministry of Youth Employment, Information and Arts – a senior Maldives official informed Reuters on Sunday.

In an announcement, the Maldives authorities mentioned it was conscious of “derogatory” feedback made on social media however confused the “opinions are personal” and don’t signify its views.

“The government believes that the freedom of expression should be exercised in a democratic and responsible manner, and in ways that do not spread hatred, negativity, and hinder close relationships between the Maldives and its international partners,” it mentioned.

The incident comes at a delicate time, as Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu embarks on a five-day go to to China, his first as President following his election win final October.

Muizzu is understood for his pro-China stance and pledged to finish his predecessor’s “India first” coverage in a area the place New Delhi and Beijing vie for affect.

During the journey, he’s anticipated to fulfill Chinese officers and signal “key agreements to improve trade, professional, and socioeconomic development,” in line with a authorities assertion.

But whereas Muizzu shall be eager to tighten ties with Beijing, the tiny Indian Ocean archipelago – dwelling to round half 1,000,000 folks – can’t afford to alienate its closest neighbor.

Maldives depends closely on tourism and a big slice of that earnings comes from India – final 12 months the world’s most populous nation accounted for the most important group of vacationers visiting its tropical seashores, in line with Maldives’ tourism web site.

Indian vacationers made greater than 209,000 journeys to Maldives in 2023, making up 11% of its tourism market, statistics launched final week present. Russia contributed about the identical quantity, and China wasn’t far behind, offering 187,118 visits, or 10% of the entire.

But the officers’ remarks angered some Indian holidaymakers, who posted screenshots on social media to point out that they had canceled their journeys to the island chain underneath the hashtag #BoycottMaldives.

Prominent figures, from Bollywood actors to cricket gamers, additionally urged followers to show to native locations as a substitute, with one other hashtag #ChaloLakshadweep – that means “Let’s go to Lakshadweep,” the place Modi visited – gaining traction.

Among them was Bollywood star Akshay Kumar, identified for taking part in the lead in motion pictures with a patriotic theme. He referred to as the Maldivian officers’ remarks “hateful and racist.”

“We are good to our neighbors but why should we tolerate such unprovoked hate? I’ve visited the Maldives many times and always praised it, but dignity first. Let us decide to #ExploreIndianIslands and support our own tourism,” he mentioned.

Indian journey web site EaseMyTrip mentioned on Monday it had suspended bookings for flights to Maldives.

“In solidarity with our nation, @EaseMyTrip has suspended all Maldives flight bookings,” Nishant Pitti, CEO and co-founder of EaseMyTrip mentioned in a submit on X.

The Confederation of All India Traders, one of many largest commerce our bodies within the nation, additionally referred to as on members to droop enterprise with Maldives.

“Until the Maldives tender an apology or ensure remedial measures, the trading community in India will refrain from doing business with them,” mentioned Praveen Khandelwal, Secretary-General of the group, which represents hundreds of merchants and commerce associations in India.

In a submit on X, Maldives Foreign Minister Moosa Zameer referred to as the officers’ remarks “unacceptable,” including that the archipelago is dedicated to “fostering a positive and constructive dialogue with our partners.”

A supply informed CNN on Monday that the Indian High Commission in Maldives had “strongly raised and expressed concerns” to the Maldivian Foreign Office.

Michael Kugelman, director of South Asia Institute on the Wilson Center in Washington, mentioned the Maldives authorities’s fast motion to droop the officers and denounce their feedback confirmed how a lot it values Indian relations.

“This dispute that’s been playing out in recent days suggests that there will be some challenges ahead, but I would argue that at the end of the day the new leadership in Maldives does not want to risk losing its relationship with India,” he mentioned.

“I would contend that this government in Maldives is going to want to balance its relations with both India and China.”