Following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to Lakshadweep, a social media post by a Maldives minister has ignited a controversy. PM Modi last week went snorkelling and shared his “exhilarating experience” of the islands in the Arabian Sea.
Thinking PM Modi’s visit aims to boost Indian islands, Maldives minister Abdulla Mahzoom Majid claims India is shifting focus from the Maldives by promoting Lakshadweep as another tourist spot. Majid went on to remark that India faces significant challenges in competing with the Maldives in beach tourism. This row comes amid strained ties between the two countries following President Mohamed Muizzu’s ascent to power in November last year.
Muizzu, from the Progressive Alliance – a coalition of the Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) and the People’s National Congress (PNC), is considered pro-China. His opponent former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih had good ties with New Delhi and the bilateral relations progressed between the two nations under Solih’s rule. Muizzu is a close associate of former Maldives President Abdulla Yameen, who is known for his pro-China stance.
