The number of Indian tourists has dropped by one-third in comparison to last year according to the local news sources citing data from the Maldives Tourism Ministry.
The drop comes as diplomatic relations between New Delhi and Mele remain at a low. According to Tourism Ministry statistics for 2023, 41,054 Indian tourists visited the Maldives by March 4 last year. The number of Indian tourists recorded as of March 2 this year was 27,224. This was 13,830 less than last year. In the same period last year, India was the second largest source market for tourists to the Maldives with a 10 per cent market share. However, India is now in sixth place on the list with a six percent market share.
The row erupted earlier this year when three deputy ministers made derogatory comments against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, over his pictures from the visit to Lakshadweep. The Ministers had also mocked the beaches of Lakshwadeep Island. Modi had visited the island to promote it as a tourist destination and had called for its development. The matter snowballed into a major diplomatic row, with New Delhi summoning the Maldivian envoy and registering a strong protest against the viral posts. The three deputy ministers were suspended and they remain under suspension with pay.
Moreover the current president of the Island nation Mohamed Muizzu is widely perceived as close to China and has actively introduced policies to reduce dependence on India including withdrawal of all the Indian troops from the territory.
