‘Tourism stands as…’ Maldives tour and travel body urges EaseMyTrip CEO to resume flight bookings, extends apology
The Maldives Association of Tourism Industry (MATI) also came in support of India and ‘strongly condemned’ the derogatory remarks made by the ministers on PM Modi's post on Lakshadweep. Meanwhile, on Tuesday, Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu urged China to intensify efforts to send more tourists to his country amid the India-Maldives row.
While addressing the Maldives Business Forum in Fujian Province on the second day of his five-day visit to China, Muizzu termed China as the island nation's “closest" ally. “China remains one of our closest allies and development partners.
A massive row was triggered last week as Maldives deputy minister, along with other cabinet members and government officials, made disparaging and unsavoury references to PM Modi's Lakshadweep visit. On January 2, PM Modi visited the Union Territory and shared several pictures, including an 'exhilarating experience' of him trying his hand at snorkelling.
The post by Mariyam Shiuna – which has now been deleted – featured the pictures of PM Modi from his recent visit to Lakshadweep. The Deputy Minister of Youth Empowerment, Information and Arts, referred to the Indian prime minister as a ‘clown’ and a ‘puppet of Israel’.
Notably, the Maldives government has now decided to remove the three ministers - Mariyam Shiuna, Malsha Shareef and Mahzoom Majid - from their posts. A Maldives government spokesperson was quoted as saying by local media, “All government officials responsible for the comments have been suspended from their post effective immediately" (With agency inputs)Milestone Alert!
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