According to reports circulating in social and local media, Indian tourists have been cancelling their holiday bookings to the Maldives.
The situation may have intensified after some high-ranking Maldivian officials made derogatory remarks towards the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Recently, Narendra Modi had visited Lakshadweep, a union territory of India, to promote the territory’s tourism scope.
After his recent visit to the island nation, speculations were made that India was attempting to upend the Maldivian tourism industry by promoting a similar tropical island nation ‘sandwiched’ between the Maldives and India.
Following derogatory remarks made by some officials of the Maldivian government, the situation has intensified more recently with several high-profile Indian celebrities endorsing Lakshadweep. The endorsements follow concurrent anti-campaign against the Maldives by Indian netizens calling out to boycott the island nation’s tourism.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued an official statement confirming that the government was aware of the derogatory remarks made by individuals against foreign leaders, and said it would not hesitate on taking relevant action.