MATI also condemns remarks by deputy ministers

Maldives Association of Tourism Industry has also condemned the derogatory remarks by three Maldivian deputy ministers against India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on social media, creating a diplomatic row.

MATI, an association comprising of the pioneers of the Maldivian tourism industry in a statement on Monday, said India is one of Maldives’ closest neighbors and allies and moreover, has always been the first responder to various crises throughout Maldivian history.

“We are immensely grateful to the close relationship that the Government as well as people of India have maintained with us,” MATI said.

It was also underscored in the statement that India has also been a consistent and significant contributor to the Maldivian tourism industry which has greatly assisted in the Maldives’ COVID-19 recovery efforts, right after the Maldives reopened its borders as India has remained one of the top tourist markets since then.

“It is our sincere wish that the close relationship between our two nations endures for generations to comes and as such, we refrain from actions or speech that may have negative impact on our good relationship,” the statement read.

Malsha Shareef, Mariyam Shiuna and Abdulla Mahzoom Majid – three deputy ministers at the Youth Ministry – had made the derogatory remarks against India and Modi on social media platform X, in response to a video promoting tourism in Lakshadweep.

The video showed Modi enjoying a visit to the Indian Union territory in the Arabian Sea.

All three deputy ministers have since been suspended.

The Maldivian Foreign Ministry issued a statement on Sunday saying the opinions were personal, and do not represent the views of the Maldivian government.

Prominent Indians, including Bollywood star Akshay Kumar expressed dismay at the comments.

India is one of the top source markets for tourist arrivals to the Maldives.

209,198 Indian tourists visited the country last year – marking the highest number of arrivals by a single market.