Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent vacation in Lakshadweep has hit the right chord, and seems to have unsettled Maldives with politicians from the island nation responding a bit anxiously on social media to the visit. Lakshadweep topped Google searches soon after his visit.
The prime minister visited Lakshadweep on January 2 and inaugurated, laid the foundation stone for development works worth over Rs 1,150 crore. Modi, with 94.3 million followers on social media platform X, also utilised the visit to promote Lakshadweep tourism and tried to satiate his adventurous spirits by trying snorkelling during his short stay. “For those who wish to embrace the adventurer in them, Lakshadweep has to be on your list. During my stay, I also tried snorkelling - what an exhilarating experience it was!”, Modi tweeted about the visit.
“Recently, I had the opportunity to be among the people of Lakshadweep. I am still in awe of the stunning beauty of its islands and the incredible warmth of its people,” Modi had tweeted. He added, “In addition to the scenic beauty, Lakshadweep's tranquility is also mesmerising.” Modi said the early morning walks along the pristine beaches were moments of pure bliss and shared images of him trying snorkelling, Lakshadweep beaches and an aerial view of the island.
However, the visit, amidst Maldives’s tiff with India has unsettled politicians in the island nation. Social media is abuzz with Maldives vs Lakshadweep discussions and a Maldives minister tweeted saying India targeting Maldives “explicitly” isn’t diplomatic. “While I wish success of India’s tourism, targeting the Maldives so explicitly isn’t diplomatic. India faces significant challenges competing in beach tourism, considering our resort infrastructure exceeds their total islands. Plus this is your culture @narendramodi,” NDTV reported quoting Maldives minister Abdulla Mahzoom Majid’s tweet.
Likewise, another politician, Zahid Rameez, a member of the Progressive Party of Maldives Senate tweeted saying the idea of India competing with Maldives in beach tourism is “delusional”. “The move is great. However, the idea of competing with us is delusional. How can they provide the service we offer? How can they be so clean? The permanent smell in the rooms will be the biggest downfall,” Zahid Rameez tweeted.
The discussion comes on the backdrop of new Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu's scheduled visit to China on Monday. Perceived to be pro-China, Muizzu and First Lady Sajidha Mohamed will visit China from January 8 to 12, on President Xi Jinping’s invitation. Muizzu, who is seen as a pro-China politician, took oath as the eighth President of the Maldives after defeating the India-friendly incumbent Ibrahim Mohamed Solih in the presidential runoff held in September.
Meanwhile, Mohamed Nasheed, the first democratically-elected President of Maldives, perceived pro-Indian has condemned recent comments of some ministers against India. "What appalling language by Maldives Government official @shiuna_m towards the leader of a key ally, that is instrumental for Maldives’ security and prosperity. @MMuizzu
gov must distance itself from these comments and give clear assurance to India they do not reflect gov policy."
-with PTI inputs.