The Maldives still upholds its amicable stance towards India, as affirmed by the country’s economic minister, while defending President Mohamed Muizzu’s position against the presence of “foreign troops” in the island nation nestled in the Indian Ocean. Shortly after assuming office last November, Muizzu, known for his pro-China inclinations, urged India to withdraw its 88 military personnel from the Maldives, citing their presence as a threat to the nation’s sovereignty.
In an interview with Turkey-based news outlet TRT World on Wednesday, Maldives’ Economic Minister Mohamed Saeed was queried about the possibility of Male fostering friendships with both China and India, to which he replied that the Maldives maintains friendly relations with all nations, not just the aforementioned two. “I believe the Maldives extends its friendship to all nations, not solely two nations. We are a nation reliant on tourism and embrace global connections. As a destination for holidaymakers, we are valued by both Chinese and Indian visitors. In terms of commerce, both markets hold significance for the Maldives,” quoted Saeed by the Sun.mv news portal.
Saeed emphasized the Maldives’ enduring friendship with India, stating, “Certainly, we share amicable ties with both.” He reiterated the rejection by the president, government, and populace of any foreign military presence in the Maldives. Muizzu has consistently stated that no Indian military personnel, including those donning civilian attire, would remain within the country post-May 10.
While the initial contingent of Indian military personnel overseeing helicopter operations has departed the Maldives, Muizzu has announced the withdrawal of troops stationed on the second platform within the current month. Those operating the third aviation platform will be withdrawn by May 10, according to him. Muizzu, who assumed office in November last year, embarked on a visit to China in January, during which the two nations sealed several agreements, including the supply of non-lethal weaponry and training.
Addressing the decline in the number of Indian tourists visiting the Maldives, Saeed remarked that certain headlines have exaggerated the situation. “Regarding the decrease in Indian tourist arrivals in recent months, I believe certain headlines have sensationalized the issue. While arrivals from certain countries have declined, others have seen an increase,” he stated.
For instance, China held the top position prior to the onset of Covid-19. However, it has since experienced a resurgence. “Flights from India arrive almost hourly on a daily basis,” Saeed remarked. These fluctuations are interpreted as indicative of a shift in the Maldives’ relations with regional powers, with the new administration fostering closer ties with China, thereby causing friction with India, as reported by the news portal.
These remarks come amidst reports of an overall rise in tourist numbers but a decline in Indian tourist arrivals. According to statistics from the Maldives’ Ministry of Tourism as of April 3, China continued to lead with 69,028 arrivals, followed by Russia (63,272), the United Kingdom (61,394), Italy (58,613), Germany (48,581), and India (35,378).
The Maldives faced significant backlash following derogatory remarks against India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi by three Maldivian officials on social media after Modi shared photos and videos of the pristine Lakshadweep Islands on India’s west coast on January 6 under his X handle.
Numerous Indians, including several celebrities, canceled reservations and abandoned plans to visit the Maldives, as reflected in tourism arrival statistics. Despite the #BoycottMaldives campaign by Indians, there has been an overall increase in tourist arrivals in the Maldives, particularly with the introduction of more direct flights from additional destinations in recent months.
Comparative statistics from the Maldives’ Tourism Ministry for January-March and up to April 3 indicated a 14 percent increase in arrivals this year compared to the same period in 2023, with a total of 620,358 arrivals in 2024. In 2023, over 1.7 million tourists visited the island nation, with more than 209,198 visitors from India, followed by Russia (209,146) and China (187,118).
The number of Indian visitors exceeded 240,000 in 2022, while over 211,000 Indians visited the Maldives in 2021. The Maldives remained open to international tourists during the pandemic, with nearly 63,000 Indians visiting during that period. However, for the first two months of 2024, India ranked sixth in terms of tourist arrivals, a departure from its consistent first-place position since 2020, with Indian tourists continuing to visit the island nation even during the pandemic.