Renowned for its serene beaches and diverse tourism offerings, Lakshadweep continues to captivate travellers seeking tranquillity and adventure alike. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's last visit to Lakshadweep has sparked global interest in the destination which is also visible after seeing a spike in Google searches. As a result of PM Modi’s visit, Lakshadweep is witnessing tourists in huge numbers since then. Speaking to ANI, the tourism officer gave insights about Lakshadweep and the growing tourism in the Union territory. He said, “Lakshadweep is a very unique and very isolated tourist destination. We have been streamlining various tourism activities on the Island. Lakshadweep is one of the best scuba diving destinations in the world. Prime Minister visited the Lakshadweep Island last December and the impact of his visit was huge.”Speaking to ANI, a tourist shared his experience and said, “Our experience was amazing and I think we were trying to find a destination like this only where things are raw and not very much commercialized.”
06 April,2024 02:02 PM IST
On the India-Maldives row that soured the relations between two nations, former Maldivian President Mohamed Nasheed has voiced significant concerns regarding the ramifications of India's boycott call on the Maldives, particularly in the context of tourism. Nasheed, currently in India, conveyed apologies on behalf of the Maldivian people and emphasised their wish for Indian tourists to continue visiting the country. Nasheed highlighted the impact of the boycott on the Maldives, stating, "It has impacted the Maldives a lot, and I am actually here in India. I'm very worried about this. I want to say the people of the Maldives are sorry, we are sorry that this has happened. We want Indian people to come on their holidays to the Maldives, and there will not be any change in our hospitality."
09 March,2024 01:12 PM IST
The legendary actor Amitabh Bachchan lauded External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar on March 04 over his sharp reaction on Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu’s ‘bully Indian’ barb. Responding sharply to a question whether “India was being a bully in the region” (sub-continent and the Indian Ocean region), at a book launch event in the national capital, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said “big bullies” don’t provide USD 4.5 billion in aid when neighbours are in distress. Amitabh Bachchan shared a video on his micro-blogging site X wherein S Jaishankar can be seen slamming neibouring country Maldives President Mohammad Muizzu for his Bully remakr for India. Watch video.
04 March,2024 02:30 PM IST
While replying to Motion of Thanks on the President's Address, Leader of Congress in Lok Sabha Adhir Chowdhury slammed Centre over India vs Maldives row and China’s intrusion bids along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). Defence Minister Rajnath Singh objected to the Congress leader’s comments in the Parliament and said India “shouldn’t be defamed in the Parliament”. He also said that the country is not weak anymore and it has emerged strong. "I would like to assure the House that India is not weak anymore. India has become strong. If someone dares to stare at India, India has the capability and strength. to give a befitting reply...The country should not be unnecessarily defamed in the forum of the Parliament," the Defence Minister said. Union Minister Kiren Rijiju waded into the debate and countered Adhir Chowdhury’s claims.
06 February,2024 11:57 AM IST
Reacting to the India-Maldives row, the Maldives Jumhooree Party (JP) leader Qasim Ibrahim called on Maldivian President Mohammed Muizzu to formally apologize to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the people of India, Voice of Maldives, a Maldivian digital news outlet, reported. “Regarding any country, especially a neighbouring one, we shouldn't speak in a way that affects the relationship. We have an obligation to our state that must be considered. President Solih did consider this obligation and issued a Presidential Decree banning the "India Out" campaign. Now, Yameen is questioning why Muizzu, who participated with him in the India Out Campaign, has not nullified the Presidential Decree,” he said. He added, “The Decree should not be nullified, as it would only result in a loss to the nation. That cannot be done. I would tell Muizzu that it shouldn't be done. Also, I call on President Muizzu to formally apologize to the Indian government and Prime Minister Modi regarding his remarks after the China trip.” The removal of Indian troops in the Maldives was the main campaign plank of Muizzu's party during the presidential elections. Currently, there are around 70 Indian troops, along with Dornier 228 maritime patrol aircraft and two HAL Dhruv helicopters, stationed. On the second day of assuming office, Muizzu officially requested the Indian government to withdraw its military personnel from the Maldives. Apart from the call for the withdrawal of Indian military personnel, a massive row erupted after a Maldivian deputy minister, along with other cabinet members and government officials, made disparaging and unsavoury references to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent Lakshadweep visit and call to development the Indian archipelago as a global retreat for beach tourism. The Maldives government, however, distanced itself from the remarks.
31 January,2024 11:22 AM IST
After concluding his China visit, Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu said that “Maldives may be small, but it does not give countries the license to bully it,” reported Maldives-based Sun.mv. President Muizzu’s comments came amid India-Maldives Row. Mohamed Muizzu visited China amid the controversy around the disparaging remarks by Maldivian ministers and government officials against Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his recent visit to Lakshadweep. Chinese President Xi Jinping hosted a state banquet for Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu and First Lady Sajidha Mohamed on Wednesday. Chinese President Xi Jinping, speaking at the Great Hall of the People, called Muizzu "an old friend", Reuters reported. Recently, Maldives Envoy to India, Ibrahim Shaheeb was spotted at Ministry of External Affairs in the national capital's South Block.
17 January,2024 11:41 AM IST
Amid the India-Maldives Row, speculations of the withdrawal of Indian troops from Maldives are rife. According to Maldives news reports, the President proposed the removal of Indian troops before March 15. Meanwhile, Maldives issues a press release following India-Maldives High-Level Core Group meeting in Male. India, however, putting rumours to rest said that a discussion to find "mutually workable solution" was done in Male. The two sides also agreed to hold the next meeting of the High-Level Core Group in India on a mutually convenient date. Notably, the diplomatic row was triggered between India and Maldives after 3 Maldivian leaders posted derogatory remarks against PM Modi mocking him over his recent trip to Lakshadweep. The matter was strongly raised by India, with Male and top opposition leaders of the island nation slamming the ruling establishment over the row. Further, the Maldives is facing a boycott from Indian tourists, one of its biggest sources of tourism income, following the incident.
15 January,2024 11:16 AM IST
While shedding light on the India-Maldives row, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on January 13 asserted that “politics is politics” and it can’t be guaranteed that every country will support or agree with India everytime. EAM Jaishankar was speaking at the Manthan: Townhall meeting in Nagpur, Maharashtra, on Saturday. “Politics is politics. I cannot guarantee that in every country, every day, everybody will support us or agree with us,” he said. Recently, after concluding his China visit, Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu said that “Maldives may be small, but it does not give countries the license to bully it,” reported Maldives-based Sun.mv. President Muizzu’s comments came amid India-Maldives Row.
14 January,2024 03:18 PM IST
Indian-Maldives Spat: With the ongoing issue where the Maldives has been facing a boycott from India, which is one of its biggest sources of tourism. This started after three of its officials made derogatory remarks against PM Modi over his Lakshadweep visit. Amid the India-Maldives row, foreign tourists are now vouching for India’s top destinations, including tourist attractions, and others. Located 36.6 km northeast of Male, the capital of the Maldives is Dhiffushi Island, which is a part of Kaafu Atoll. The foreign visitors in Maldives shared the experiences of their visits to various Indian states and lauded Indian traditions. With around 1,200 people living on this little island, the main source of economic activity here is tourism and fishing.
13 January,2024 04:23 PM IST
PM Modi’s social media post on his recent visit to Lakshadweep went viral in no time. On Jan 04, ‘Lakshadweep’ became the 10th most searched word on Google in India. Unexpectedly, the UT’s sudden popularity became the ‘apple of discord’ to Maldivian MPs. Taking to X, Maldivian Minister Mariyam Shiuna made ‘abusive remarks’ on Indian PM’s Lakshadweep visit. However, she deleted her tweet after facing a massive uproar over her controversial remarks. Fuming at a post featuring PM Modi’s visit, MP Zahid Rameez said that the idea of competing with them is “delusional”. Reacting quickly to it, Netizens lambasted MP and triggered a meme fest comparing UT’s beach heaven with Maldives. Later, famous Indian personalities came forward and reacted sharply to politician’s remarks. Also, India’s top foreign affairs experts expressed their disappointment over Maldives MP’s remarks. Notably, Lakshadweep is situated just north of the Maldives, 400 kilometers west of mainland India. For the tourists, who wish to explore their adventurer side, Lakshadweep has to be on their list.
11 January,2024 10:18 PM ISTADVERTISEMENT
