New Delhi: Players in the Maldives tourism industry have condemned the derogatory remarks made by ministers, since suspended, against India and PM Narendra Modi.
In a statement released Monday, the Maldives Association of Tourism Industry (MATI) said India was one of Malé’s “closest neighbours and allies”.
It emphasised India’s position as a “consistent and significant contributor to the tourism industry of the Maldives”, and said India “greatly assisted” Maldives’ recovery efforts during the Covid-19 pandemic after the borders were reopened.
“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.”
Meanwhile, the Maldives Association of Travel Agents & Tour Operators (MATATO) called tourism the “lifeblood” of the Maldives, and sought to highlight the detrimental impact of a possible Indian boycott on the sector. It also acknowledged the significance of Malé’s strategic relationship with India.
“MATATO places immense value on the power of dialogue and mutual support, utilising these connections to strengthen the ties that bind our tourism industries”, it added.
In a letter to Nishant Pitti, the CEO and co-founder of EasyMyTrip, an online travel agency that suspended flight bookings to Maldives after the row, MATATO urged all parties to “refrain from contributing to the divisiveness through hateful comments”.
“In response to recent social media exchanges, MATATO feels compelled to underscore the paramount importance of fostering positive ties with all countries, especially our South Asian neighbours. We firmly believe that collaborative efforts and open communication are essential in preserving friendly relations, facilitating trade, and encouraging cultural exchanges between our nations to remain strong and unhindered,” it added.
A diplomatic row erupted over the weekend as three Maldivian deputy ministers — Abdulla Mahzoom Majid, Mariyam Shiuna and Malsha Shareef, who have now been suspended — made offensive remarks about India and Modi as the latter sought to pitch Lakshadweep as a tourist hub during a visit last week.
The Maldives government said the opinions expressed on social media were “personal” and didn’t represent the government’s views, but added that freedom of expression should be exercised in ways that “do not spread hatred, negativity and hinder close relationships between the Maldives and its international partners”.
(Edited by Sunanda Ranjan)
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