Maldives asks Indians to join its tourism industry, says economy relies on it.

Dubai: The Maldives, a popular tourist destination, has seen a decline in the number of Indian tourists visiting its islands due to strained relations between the two countries. In an exclusive interview with PTI Videos, the Maldivian Tourism Minister Ibrahim Faisal urged Indians to contribute to the country's economy, which heavily relies on tourism. He emphasized the historical ties between India and the Maldives and expressed his government's willingness to work together for a peaceful and friendly environment.

Minister Faisal extended a warm welcome to Indian travelers and urged them to be a part of the Maldives' tourism sector. He stressed the importance of tourism for the country's economy and encouraged Indians to visit and explore the beautiful islands. However, recent events have caused a backlash against the Maldives, leading to a decline in Indian tourists. This has been reflected in the tourism arrival statistics, with India dropping from the topmost to the sixth position after January.

According to a report by sun.mv, the number of Indian tourists visiting the Maldives has decreased by 42% in the first four months of this year compared to the same period last year. The report attributes this decline to the strained relations between India and the Maldives, which began in November last year when President Mohamed Muizzu took office and expressed his support for evicting Indian military personnel from the country.

The Maldives has always held a special place in India's foreign policy, with initiatives like 'SAGAR' and the 'Neighbourhood First Policy' of the Modi government. However, with the new administration's pro-China stance, ties between the two countries have been under stress. President Muizzu has accused India of meddling in the Maldives' affairs and campaigned with the promise of removing Indian military personnel from the country. As a result, the 88 Indian military personnel stationed in the Maldives were forced to withdraw, causing further strain in the relationship.

Despite the challenges, Minister Faisal remains hopeful for a positive future between India and the Maldives. He believes that both countries share a strong bond and hopes to see an increase in Indian tourists in the future. As the tourism minister, he urges Indians to be a part of the Maldives' tourism industry and experience the beauty and hospitality of the country.

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