India-Maldives row Highlights: After cancelling flights to Maldives, EaseMyTrip launches Lakshadweep packages

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In the midst of escalating diplomatic tensions with the Maldives, Congress leader Manish Tewari said on Monday that the island nation has fallen under the influence of China's sphere, emphasising the necessity for a reassessment of the situation.

"Maldives is now in the Chinese sphere of influence. Sri Lanka has bent to the Chinese wind. China is gobbling up territory in Bhutan. China has accumulated disproportionate influence over the polity in Nepal. The Military Junta in Myanmar for decades has been beholden to the Communist Party of China (CPC). Pakistan is a client state of China. China has developed proximate ties to the Taliban regime in Afghanistan. Chinese economic influence in Bangladesh is also on the ascendant. What is India‘s influence in South Asia currently? Folks need to take a reality check!," the Congress MP said in a post on X.

The Maldives Association of Tourism Industry (MATI) has strongly condemned the derogatory comments made by Maldivian deputy ministers on social media platforms against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Indians.

A statement by MATI read, "India is one of our closest neighbours and allies. India has always been a first responder to various crises throughout our history and we are immensely grateful to the close relationship that the Government as well as people of India have maintained with us."

"India has also been a consistent and significant contributor to the Tourism Industry of the Maldives. A contributor that has greatly assisted our recovery efforts during COVID-19, right after we re-opened our borders. Since then, India has continued to remain as one of the top markets for the Maldives," the statement further read.

Amid the growing tensions between the Maldives and India’s Lakshadweep, several celebs have been posting about how Indians would not tolerate such comments and promoting tourism to Lakshadweep.

Amid the rising tensions, actor and stand-up comedian Vir Das shared a post that is now going viral. Read the full story here.

Several initiatives are being taken to promote tourism in Lakshadweep, including construction of additional rooms and plans afoot for a big airport, with the archipelago being discussed across the world after the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, its administrator Praful Patel said on Monday.

During his visit to Lakshadweep on January 2, the PM had said the Union Territory was "full of many possibilities" and had asserted the Union government was "working with full commitment for the development of the entire Lakshadweep, including Agatti."

(With PTI inputs)

Be it India's prompt assistance during the 1988 coup attempt by a group backed by a Sri Lankan militant organisation or aid during natural disasters, the country has reinforced its credentials of being the "first responder" for the Maldives in times of crisis through the years.

However, the 'close and cordial' ties between India and the Maldives have nosedived following derogatory social media posts by a number of Maldivian ministers against Prime Minister Narendra Modi following his visit to Lakshadweep. Read the full story here.

India and the Maldives are in a diplomatic tussle. Come to think of it, the battle began and played out on social media - cyberspace - for close to three days before seeing action on the ground - that is the physical world.

India, on Monday (January 8), summoned Maldivian High Commissioner Ibrahim Shaheeb even as the Indian envoy in Male met Maldivian officials there. This was three days after a battle broke out online with Indians countering the abusive language of some Maldivian politicians after the islanders saw the promotion of Lakshadweep as aimed at hurting its tourism business. Read the full story here.

Lakshadweep Lok Sabha MP Mohammed Faizal on Monday criticised Maldives ministers' statements against Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his social media post on the tourism potential of the archipelago, urging them to "think twice" before commenting on India's internal matters.

"The Hon'ble Prime Minister's remarks pertained to Lakshadweep tourism, which is entirely an internal matter of India. The comments made by Maldivian deputy ministers on this matter are unwanted and uninvited," Faizal told PTI over phone.

(With PTI inputs)

Travel agency company, EaseMyTrip, has suspended flight bookings to the Maldives in support of the government. This comes amid the diplomatic row between India and Maldives over Maldivian politicians' offensive remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In a bid to promote Lakshadweep as a tourist destination, EaseMyTrip has introduced travel packages for Lakshadweep for customers.

"We have suspended flight bookings to the Maldives in support of the government, impacting 2.4 lakh annual bookings made through our platform. In fact, bookings surged by approx 40% last year as compared to the year before. However, we have introduced Lakshadweep as the premier destination, on par with international favourites, and we wish to enter into an alliance with Lakshadweep Tourism soon to promote the destination," a statement by EaseMyTrip read.

"We have introduced enticing packages, crafted to elevate travel experience and help our customers discover the alluring landscapes of Lakshadweep like never before," the statement further read.

MakeMyTrip reported a significant surge in tourism interest in Lakshadweep following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent visit. The online travel company noted a remarkable 3,400% increase in on-platform searches for the Union Territory.

This surge in interest occurred amid a controversy sparked by Maldivian politicians' offensive statements on PM Modi's visit to Lakshadweep. However, the Maldives government has disapproved of the derogatory remarks, clarifying that they do not reflect the views of Male. Read the full story here.

The Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) on Monday urged Indian exporters and traders to boycott business with the Maldives in protest against derogatory remarks targeting Prime Minister Modi.

CAIT leaders emphasised the business community's rejection of such offensive comments, stressing the importance of mutual respect in diplomatic discourse. 

The appeal encourages traders to stand united in sending a strong message against such behaviour by temporarily abstaining from trade engagements with the Maldives, the CAIT said.

(Inputs by Ram Kinkar)

Former Maldives Vice President Ahmed Adeeb has strongly condemned "derogatory and racist comments" made by several Maldivian politicians against Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

In a post on X,  he further said, "Considering the global economic challenges and the vulnerability of the Maldives tourism industry and economy, it is crucial for us to maintain a friendly and humble approach while fostering positive relations with all nations."

Amid the India-Maldives row, the Israel Embassy participated in the #ExploreIndianIslands trend on social media by posting several pictures of Lakshadweep, highlighting the island's captivating charm.

Using the microblogging platform 'X,' the embassy stated, "We visited Lakshadweep last year at the request of the federal government to kickstart the desalination program." Read more here.

The Aviation and Tourism committee of the Indian Chamber of Commerce on Monday appealed to travel agencies and tour operators to boycott the Maldives as a tourist destination amid the diplomatic row between the two countries. 

In a statement, the chairman of Aviation and Tourism Committee of ICC said, "I appeal to all members and Tourism Trade Associations like: Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO), Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI), Travel Agents Federation of India (TAFI), Adventure Tour Operators Association of India (ATOAI), Association of Domestic Tour Operators (ADTOI) and MICE Agents to stop promoting Maldives in view of the anti-India feelings expressed by the Ministers of Maldives."