The Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC) made an appeal on Monday, directing tourism and trade associations to halt their promotion of the Maldives amid a diplomatic controversy over anti-India comments by some Maldivian ministers.
Subhash Goyal, the ICC chairman, urged associations to redirect promotion efforts toward Lakshadweep, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Sri Lanka, Mauritius, Bali, and Phuket, suggesting these destinations were preferable to the Maldives.
In his statement, Goyal called for Indian carriers operating in the Maldives to suspend their operations and consider operating in Lakshadweep under the Udaan Scheme. He further encouraged associations like FHRAI and the Hotel Association of India to invest in Lakshadweep, emphasizing its potential for better returns than the Maldives.
EaseMyTrip ceased flight bookings to the Maldives, and MakeMyTrip reported a significant surge of 3400% in searches for Lakshadweep following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to the territory.
Last week, a controversy emerged when Maldivian deputy ministers made derogatory comments targeting India and PM Modi’s efforts to promote Lakshadweep. This sparked widespread backlash among Indians, including celebrities, urging a boycott of the Maldives.
In response, the Maldivian government distanced itself from the remarks, asserting they were personal opinions and did not represent the government’s views. The government emphasized the need for responsible expression and pledged to take action against those making such derogatory statements.
Additionally, the Maldivian authorities suspended three ministers, Mariyam Shiuna, Malsha Shareef, and Mahzoom Majid, for their anti-India remarks on Sunday.
