In a surprising turn of events, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's posts promoting tourism in the Lakshadweep islands have triggered a social media war between Maldivian politicians, government officials, and Indian users.
In a post about his visit to Lakshadweep, PM Modi praised the islands' stunning beauty, sparking offensive responses from some Maldivian social media users, including government officials. The comments took a derogatory turn, with racist and xenophobic remarks against Indians and PM Modi.
Maldivian Deputy Minister Mariyam Shiuna and her colleague Malsha Sharif made disparaging comments, comparing India to cow dung. The issue escalated as some Maldivian news websites sensationalized headlines, falsely claiming India started a campaign against tourism in the Maldives.
In response, Indian social media users vowed to boycott Maldivian tourism, leading to a digital standoff. Amidst this, the Maldives government officials actively engaged in derogatory remarks and fueled the anti-India sentiment.
The controversy stems from India's promotion of Lakshadweep tourism, but Maldivians misconstrued it as a competition with their country. Some accused India of attempting to lure travellers away from the Maldives, leading to a wave of insults and racist comments against Indians and Indian tourists.
Indian tourists form a significant part of the Maldives' tourism industry, contributing over 200,000 visitors in 2023. The Maldives, highly dependent on tourism, faces economic challenges, making the need for positive relations crucial.
The roots of anti-India sentiments in the Maldives can be traced back to the 'India Out' campaign that gained momentum in 2020. Former President Abdulla Yameen openly supported this campaign, creating a foundation for the current political climate.
Critics argue that some officials in the current government need more diplomatic experience, leading to volatile rhetoric. Despite the condemnation from opposition politicians and diplomats, the Maldives government initially failed to address the issue adequately.
Only after widespread criticism did the Ministry of Foreign Affairs issue a statement, disassociating itself from the derogatory remarks. However, some felt the statement fell short of acknowledging responsibility for the officials' conduct.
The incident also saw a suspected cyber attack on Maldivian government websites, including the foreign ministry and tourism ministry, affecting access for Indian viewers.
In an unexpected twist, Bollywood celebrities and Indian sportspersons launched a coordinated 'Visit Lakshadweep' campaign in response to the anti-India sentiment. Actor Akshay Kumar questioned the unprovoked hate and encouraged supporting Indian tourism.
Despite the social media turmoil, analysts believe that the actions of a few Maldivian politicians are unlikely to significantly impact broader bilateral relations. Many Maldivian citizens continue to visit India for various purposes, indicating a deep-rooted relationship beyond the recent controversy.
The incident highlights the importance of maintaining friendly relations between neighbouring countries and the potential consequences of unchecked social media behaviour. Moving forward, both nations may need to focus on diplomatic dialogue to mend the recent rift and reinforce the longstanding ties since diplomatic relations were established in 1965.
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