Both India and Maldives have strong historical and cultural ties. However, these relations have deteriorated in the last one year. In January 2024, a Maldives cabinet minister made a derogatory statement about Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This increased tension between the two countries. Indian tourists turned away from Maldives. Its effect is now visible in Maldives. The number of Indian tourists visiting Maldives in June this year has declined by 2.5 percent. The Ministry of Tourism of Maldives has released a report. According to this, so far in June, more than 44,013 tourists have visited the coastal countries.
The report said that a total of 44,013 tourists were welcomed at Velana International Airport between June 1 and June 12. This is a 9.6 percent increase compared to 8,54,405 in 2023, the previous year. 7,47,183 in 2022 is a significant increase. An average of 3,668 tourists visited the Maldives per day in June. Tourists are staying in the Maldives for at least seven days.
Since the beginning of 2024, the Maldives has welcomed a total of 9,36,258 visitors. (1,92,385) in January. 1,19,875 tourists have visited the Maldives in February (2,17,392), March (1,94,227), April (1,68,366) and May. So far in 2024, the daily average is 5,709 and tourists are staying for an average of eight days. 60,699 tourists from China have visited the Maldives. It is followed by Russia, Italy and the United States. But, only 31 thousand 437 tourists have come from India, the leader in tourist arrivals in the last three years. With Indian tourists turning away from the Maldives, it is having a huge impact on the country’s economy.
Maldives is already burdened with debt. At that time, President Mohammad Muizzu broke off relations with India and turned to China. Therefore, India started withdrawing the aid given to Maldives. At the same time, China has a total debt of 20 percent on Maldives. Therefore, if Maldives, which is trapped in financial crisis, takes more loan from China, then its ratio will go up to 37 percent. According to World Bank data, Maldives owes $ 1.37 billion to China. IMF has expressed apprehension that getting closer to China can spoil the future of Maldives.
