On Monday, one of India’s largest travel booking platforms, EaseMyTrip, suspended flight bookings to the Maldives after citizens of the two countries exchanged heated social media posts regarding Indian PM Narendra Modi's recent visit to Lakshadweep.
How it Started
Indian PM Narendra Modi posted a picture of himself lounging in a chair on a secluded white-sand beach on the Indian archipelago of Lakshadweep. The picture was part of a photo series that aimed to highlight the natural beauty of Lakshadweep, an Indian territory located 241 kilometres away from the mainland and only 161 kilometres north of the Maldives.
The series of posts prompted ridicule from officials in the Maldives. In a now-deleted post on X, Mariyam Shiuna, a deputy minister in the Maldives’ government, wrote, “What a clown.” The comment was in response to a picture of Modi wearing a life jacket in what she said was a pretence of scuba diving. Further, she accused the Indian leader of being a “puppet of Israel.”
However, the Indian leader had been snorkelling — an activity that is compatible with the use of a lifejacket. Social media posts by other Maldivians insulted Indian tourists and culture.
Make the corals of Lakshadweep the canvas of your adventures!🌊
— EaseMyTrip.com (@EaseMyTrip) January 8, 2024
Book Now! #travelwitheasemytrip #LakshadweepTourism #Lakshadweep #EaseMyTrip pic.twitter.com/Y2c4cmvroi
Indian Response
High-profile Indians, including government officials and Bollywood stars, have been a part of the backlash directed at Maldivians.
In addition, Indian travel portal EaseMyTrip suspended travel bookings to the Maldives.
On Monday, New Delhi also summoned Maldivian High Commissioner Ibrahim Shaheeb, over the derogatory attacks.
Damage Control
The Maldivian government responded by suspending Shiuna, along with two other ministers Malsha Shareef and Abdulla Mahzoon, who had joined her in making the offensive remarks about India.
“The government of Maldives is aware of derogatory remarks on social media platforms against foreign leaders and high-ranking individuals. These opinions are personal and do not represent the views of the government of Maldives,” Malé said in a statement.
#WATCH | Bengaluru: Co-founder of EaseMyTrip, Prashant Pitti says, "...Our company is entirely homegrown and made in India. Amid the row over Maldives MP's post on PM Modi's visit to Lakshadweep, we have decided that we will not accept any bookings for Maldives...We want Ayodhya… pic.twitter.com/99EQ0kxGZM
— ANI (@ANI) January 8, 2024
It added that while “freedom of expression should be exercised in a democratic and responsible manner,” it should be exercised “in ways that do not spread hatred, negativity, and hinder close relationships between the Maldives and its international partners.”
It also stressed that authorities “will not hesitate to take action against those who make such derogatory remarks.”
Other government officials also urged public figures to maintain decorum.
India-Maldives Relations
Traditionally, India and Maldives have shared a close, cordial, and multidimensional relationship. India was the first country to establish diplomatic ties with the island nation following its independence in 1965.
The two countries also share a robust defence relationship, with their armed forces engaging in military drills and India providing Maldives with defence equipment and training.
However, since 2022, the Progressive Party of Maldives has been spearheading an ‘India Out’ campaign, propagating the questionable claim that Indian military officers stationed in the Indian Ocean island nation are a violation of Maldives’ sovereignty.