India Dips From NO.1 To No.5 In Maldives Tourism Ranking (image@visitmaldives)
After the recent row between Maldives and India, the Island nation has seen a significant shift in its tourist demographics over the past three weeks, as data from the nation’s tourism ministry reveals a major significant drop in Indian visitors. From third, it dipped to fifth position. The statistics obtained on January 28th, shows the latest developments in the diplomatic relations between India and Maldives.
As per the data obtained from government of Maldives, Russia tops the ranking in the terms of arrivals in the country, with 18,561 arrivals. Russia was followed by Italy, China, and UK. India, which was at the top position, came down to fifth position with 13,989 arrivals in the archipelago. India held the top position as of December 31, 2023, with 209,198 arrivals in Maldives, which constitutes nearly 11 percentage of the county’s tourism market of 2023.
However, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Lakshadweep visit on January 2 has sparked diplomatic row between India and Maldives, thus declining the number of Indian tourists in Maldives. The controversy spiked up when Maldives minister accused India of targeting the island nation, and said that India faces challenges in competing with Maldives in terms of beach tourism. Following the remarks, Indians, including celebrities came forward urging Indians to explore Indian islands like Lakshadweep.
Diplomatic tensions between India and Maldives started to raise after Maldivian President Mohammed Muizzu assumed office last year. Muizzu’s yielding of power has marked a visible shift in the foreign policy of the Maldives, with closer ties to China and a detachment from previous “India first” approach. The opposition party in Maldives accused Muizzu of pro-China stance, especially after China ships, which were alleged to be spy ships, were allowed to dock Maldives capital Male.
The anti-India rhetoric was further spiked with Mohammed Muizzu’s demand for the withdrawal of Indian troops from Maldives by mid-March, by citing the presence of Indian troops as a security threat.
