Nasheed acknowledged a recent dip in the number of Indian tourists travelling to the Maldives but noted that India has once again become the second-largest source of tourist arrivals for the island nation
Former Maldives President Mohamed Nasheed has underlined the importance of strong relations with India, stating that the prosperity, safety, and security of the Maldives are closely linked to its ties with its neighbour. Speaking in an interview with ANI, Nasheed also highlighted how tourism industries in India and the Maldives complement each other, stressing that developments in one can benefit the other.
Nasheed acknowledged a recent dip in the number of Indian tourists travelling to the Maldives but noted that India has once again become the second-largest source of tourist arrivals for the island nation.
“As I keep saying, our prosperity, security and safety is very much dependent on our good relations with India. There’s also another element to this. Tourism in India is complementary to the tourist industry in the Maldives,” Nasheed said.
He elaborated on how tourism dynamics in the region support each other. “For instance, when you have tourists coming to Sri Lanka, tourism in the Maldives also increases. So if we develop, if India will develop the Minicoy Islands as resorts, that would benefit the Maldives because it would be complementary.”
Nasheed explained that the flow of tourists often overlaps across destinations in the region. “Your usual tourist who comes to the Minicoy Islands will hear about the Maldives. They would come on the next holiday, they would like to come to the Maldives. So the tourist who comes to the Maldives hears about another resort next door, then would also go there. So I think tourism is complementary,” he added.
Addressing the earlier decline in Indian tourist numbers, Nasheed expressed optimism, stating, “As you mentioned, we had a downturn in tourist arrivals from India, but fortunately now it’s picked up. And again, India is our second largest destination. We have to have good relations with India and all Indians are very welcome to the Maldives. Please keep coming.”
Nasheed’s remarks come in the backdrop of recent tensions between India and the Maldives, following derogatory comments made by certain Maldivian ministers regarding Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Lakshadweep. The remarks drew significant criticism, with many Indians on social media announcing cancellations of their planned trips to the Maldives, a destination particularly favoured by Indian travellers.
Prime Minister Modi had visited Lakshadweep on January 2 last year, sharing images of the Union Territory’s beaches and his snorkelling experience. In his posts, he encouraged people to explore Lakshadweep, describing it as a must-visit for adventurers.
However, the Maldivian Deputy Minister of Youth Empowerment, Shiuna, posted disparaging remarks mocking PM Modi’s visit, which have since been deleted. The Maldives government moved quickly to distance itself from these comments. Maldivian Foreign Minister Moosa Zameer publicly termed such remarks against foreign leaders as “unacceptable” and clarified that they did not represent the official position of the Maldivian government.
Zameer reaffirmed the Maldives’ commitment to maintaining a “positive and constructive dialogue” with all its partners, especially neighbouring countries.
On the subject of growing Chinese influence in the Maldives and discussions surrounding a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the two countries, Nasheed stated, “Well, we do want tourists coming from all destinations and so including Chinese tourists, Indian tourists, European tourists and tourists from everywhere.”
As the Maldives looks to balance its international partnerships, Nasheed’s comments reiterate the long-standing and crucial role of India in the island nation’s economic and strategic well-being.
