Maldives Ministers push their tourism economy into deep waters with anti-India rant
Not An Era Of War
Some time ago, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had famously said of the Ukraine conflict, 'This is not an era of war'. He implied that changing times called for discussions, negotiations and co-opetition (if any) rather than unfettered and violent competition.
Tourism & Territorial Aggression Far Removed, But...
The domain of tourism and its economic ramifications may be far removed from territorial aggression and conflict. But the recent social media posts by some junior Maldives ministers only highlight the phenomenal wisdom behind PM Modi's words above.
The Business of PM Modi Is Business & Tourism... for India
A few days ago, (as is his normal practice to take every opportunity to promote business and tourism across India), PM Modi had shared a few images from his trip to the Lakshadweep (group of) islands.
Innocent Promotion Of Lakshadweep, Nothing anti Maldives About It
The innocent promotion of his own nation's island by Narendra Modi may not have gone well with many elements in the Maldives establishment. The party that has come to power there recently is known for its pro-China and anti-India stance. The newly elected President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has also been pressing for India's removal of its military stationed in the Maldives.
Genuine Introspection Missing
The new Maldives leadership may not wish to take any leaf from ancient Indian wisdom of 'Vasudeva Kutumbakam' (the world is one family). But it could have at least reflected on the numerous times India has come to Maldives' rescue or the ongoing help being rendered vide numerous projects. With a little genuine introspection, the new leadership may not really wish to dump India for China. Economies much larger than Maldives' have been held to ransom by China's policies.
Indecent Response
Sadly, the Maldives ministers chose to feel threatened by the Lakshadweep images of a great global influencer like PM Modi and descended to rants and slurs. It may have been worth the Maldives establishment to talk of partnering with Lakshadweep or India tourism officials. Or even simply acknowledging with gratitude the yeoman's work India has been doing in the Maldives. This would have helped raise Maldives' stature at least in the eyes of potential Indian tourists.
India Helps Maldives With Water & Sanitation Projects
On understands there are 30 + Indian projects in the Maldives, including those related to potable water and sewage management in the archipelago. Ironically a significant part of the anti-India slurs by the Maldives officials have been about the hygiene conditions at Indian resorts or sanitary habits of Indians.
'Stranger Bedfellows'
But if politics make strange bedfellows, wheeling and dealing beyond the interests of true patriotism may make for stranger ones. In any case, it is one thing to let oneself be pulled by the strings of one's chosen puppeteer. It is quite another to behave childishly and cut the genuine cord of friendship and camaraderie that has long tied Maldives to India.
Cutting The Nose To Spite The Face
One understands that 25% of Maldives' GDP of USD 6.17 Billion is from tourism. Amongst the most significant stakeholders (even by the sheer number of tourists), India contributes strongly to the economy and employment generation in Maldives. It is believed that taken directly and indirectly, tourism generates about 70 per cent of the jobs there.
Maldives Maladies Set To Begin?
As one writes this, one reads about 8500+ hotel bookings for Maldives from India being cancelled. This was just a few hours into the Maldives officials' diatribe). By the time this issue drags on, over the next few weeks and more annoyed Indians redraw their vacation plans, the Maldives economy may find itself in deeper waters.
