Introduction

• Trigger: PM Modi’s social media posts promoting tourism in Lakshadweep led to a contentious exchange between Maldivian politicians, government officials, and Indian social media users.
• Context: The posts highlighted Lakshadweep’s beauty but did not mention the Maldives or other island nations.
• Maldivian Reaction: Following PM Modi’s posts, some Maldivian social media users, including government officials, responded with offensive and derogatory comments targeting Indians and the Prime Minister.

Escalation of the Issue

• Sensational Headlines: Local Maldivian news websites sensationalized the issue, falsely claiming that India was campaigning against Maldivian tourism.
• Government Officials’ Involvement: High-ranking Maldivian officials engaged in the social media dispute, exacerbating the situation.

Maldivian Social Media Campaign

• #VisitMaldives Hashtag: In response to India’s promotion of Lakshadweep, Maldivian officials and supporters pushed the ‘#VisitMaldives’ hashtag, featuring local resorts and beaches.
• Territorial Claims: Some Maldivian users falsely claimed that Lakshadweep is not Indian territory but belongs to the Maldives.

Accusations Against India

• Alleged Competition: Maldivian social media users accused India of trying to compete with the Maldives as a tropical vacation destination.
• Racist Remarks: The posts led to a range of racist comments against Indians and Indian tourists.

Maldives’ Dependency on Tourism

• Significant Indian Tourist Numbers: Indians form a large group of tourists visiting the Maldives, with over 200,000 travelers in 2023.
• Economic Impact: Tourism is crucial for the Maldives, accounting for over 28% of its GDP.

Indian Response

• Boycott Calls: Some Indian users called for a boycott of Maldivian hotels and resorts.
• Highlighting Bilateral Cooperation: Others emphasized India’s assistance to the Maldives and aspects of bilateral cooperation.
• Celebrity Support: Bollywood celebrities and Indian sportspersons initiated a ‘Visit Lakshadweep’ campaign in response to the controversy.

Roots of Anti-India Sentiments

• Historical Campaign: Anti-India sentiments have been present since the ‘India Out’ campaign, which started in 2020 and was promoted by former president Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayyoom.
• Muizzu Government’s Stance: The current Maldivian government, under President Mohamed Muizzu, has been fulfilling campaign promises, including withdrawing Indian military personnel from the Maldives.

Criticism Within the Maldives

• Opposition’s Stance: Not all in the Maldives support the government’s stance, with some politicians and diplomats criticizing the derogatory comments.
• Lack of Diplomatic Experience: Critics argue that some government officials lack experience and understanding of diplomacy.

Maldivian Government’s Reaction

• Official Statement: The Maldives’ Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement distancing the government from the derogatory remarks.
• Cyber Attack Suspicions: Following the incident, several Maldivian government websites, including the foreign ministry, were suspected to be under cyber-attack.

Conclusion

• Surprise and Disappointment: The incident has surprised many in India and the Maldives, given the history of diplomatic support and cooperation.
• Unlikely to Affect Relations: Analysts believe the conduct of a few individuals is unlikely to impact broader India-Maldives bilateral relations.
• Need for Diplomatic Sensitivity: The episode underscores the importance of maintaining respectful and diplomatic communication between neighboring countries.

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