News Analysis India

Tag: maldives president mohamed muizzu

  • Maldives Realizing Its Mistake? Island Nation Urges India For Tourist Support Amid Crisis | India News

    New Delhi: Amid strained relations between India and the Maldives, the number of Indian tourists visiting the archipelago nation has decreased. Eyeing the waning state of the Maldives’ tourism-driven economy, the country’s tourism minister, Ibrahim Faisal, on Monday urged Indians to contribute as the nation is heavily reliant on tourism.

    He highlighted the historical bilateral ties with India. “We have a history. Our newly elected government also wants to work together (with India). We always promote peace and a friendly environment. Our people and the government will give a warm welcome to Indian arrivals. As the tourism minister, I want to tell Indians to please be a part of Maldives’ tourism. Our economy depends on tourism,” Faisal said in an interview with PTI.

    Decline In Indian Tourist

    The number of tourist arrivals from India dropped by 42% in the first four months of this year compared to the same period last year, as per a report published on sun.mv on Monday.

    In the beginning of this year, India was the top tourist market for the Maldives. However, this number is declining as the year progresses. As per the report, India dipped to sixth place from the top spot.

    As per the Tourism Ministry data cited by PTI, the Maldives welcomed 43,991 tourists from India as of May 4. In the corresponding period last year, there were 73,785 arrivals, whereas this year the figure stands at 42,638.

    India-Maldives Ties After Muizzu

    The decrease in Indian tourists visiting the Maldives is said to be because of the strained relationship between India and the Maldives, particularly since President Mohamed Muizzu took office in November last year.

    President Muizzu, who is seen as ‘pro-China’, shortly after becoming president withdrew 88 Indian military personnel stationed at three aviation bases, which were gifts from India.

    He has accused India of interfering in Maldivian affairs and campaigned with an “India Out” agenda during the elections in September.

    Social Media Fallout

    The Maldives faced a major backlash on social media following some derogatory remarks from three Maldives officials about Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The remarks were directed at PM Modi’s post on ‘X’ about his recent visit to the Lakshadweep Islands. He shared photos and videos of the beachside on January 6.

    In response, many Indians, including celebrities, canceled their bookings and abandoned their intentions to travel to the Maldives. Tourism arrival data illustrated India’s descent from the top-ranking visitor nation to sixth place after January.

  • Maldives Votes Today: What’s At Stake For India As Prez Mohamed Muizzu Vying For 2nd Term? , India News

    New Delhi: The archipelago nation, Maldives is voting in the fourth multi-party parliamentary election on Sunday. The ballot is crucial for President Mohamed Muizzu, who won last year’s presidential election as a proxy for pro-China ex-president Abdulla Yameen.

    Except for Maldivians, the parliamentary polls are being closely monitored by both India and China as they compete for influence in the Indian Ocean. Muizzu’s election as president last year intensified the competition between the two nations. Recently, the new leader initiated his ‘pro-China’ efforts by sending away Indian military forces and giving big construction projects to Chinese government-run companies.

    Why Is This Election Important For India?

    As per a report by the Associated Press, Muizzu’s election campaign theme for president was “India out.” He has on occasion accused his predecessor of compromising national sovereignty by giving India too much influence in the region.

    However, the current parliament, mostly controlled by the pro-India Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) led by former president Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, has been trying to block his attempts to change the country’s diplomatic stance and enhance relations with neighboring nations like India, as per reports.

    It will be difficult for Muizzu to get a majority in Parliament because more parties have entered the contest and some of his supporters have fallen out, according to AP.

    What Is The Political Scenario?

    There are 368 candidates vying for 93 seats in Parliament from six political parties and independent organizations. After accounting for population growth, that is six more seats than in the previous Parliament.

    There were about 284,000 eligible voters, and late on Sunday, results are anticipated to be released.

    India-Maldives Conflict

    This year’s major controversy began when a few Maldivian leaders made remarks on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Lakshadweep. This caused tension between India and the Maldives. India complained strongly to the Maldives about it, and even opposition leaders in the Maldives criticized the government for the situation. A Maldivian leader, Mariyam Shiuna, posted disrespectful comments about PM Modi but later deleted them.

    Indians found these developments disrespectful, which further led to the downfall in the number of Indian tourists going to the Maldives. The number declined by almost 40% from January to March 2024 compared to the same time in 2023. However, the number of tourists from China increased a lot during the same period.

    Even though the Maldivian government said it didn’t support the disrespectful comments, it suspended three ministers who had made the remarks.

  • Maldives Election: ‘Pro-China’ Prez Mohamed Muizzu’s Party Scores Big Win | world news

    New Delhi: In the Maldives’ parliamentary election on Sunday, President Mohamed Muizzu’s ruling party secured a landslide victory by securing a two-thirds majority. This is expected to shift the political landscape of the archipelago nation in the Indian Ocean away from its traditional ally, India, and towards China.

    The People’s National Congress (PNC), led by President Mohamed Muizzu, is anticipated to secure about 62 of the 93 seats in Parliament, which is more than the required number of seats for a majority in the 93-member parliament. The Maldives Democratic Party (MDP), the main opposition party, is anticipated to win roughly 15 seats, reported news agency Reuters citing local news channels.

    As Muizzu’s presidency remains unaffected, both Beijing and New Delhi’s quest for influence in the Indo-Pacific region is anticipated to tilt towards China. President Muizzu, who took office last year, has promised to steer away from the country’s previous “India First” approach, causing tension in relations with New Delhi. Recently, his administration requested that Indian military personnel stationed at several locations depart the country’s territory.

    The Democratic Party, led by former president Mohamed Nasheed, failed to secure any seats it contested. The party split from the Maldives Democratic Party (MDP) in 2023. Similarly, the newly formed party led by former president Abdulla Yameen also experienced defeat in all the seats it vied for, as per Reuters.

    The People’s National Congress (PNC) secured significant victories in areas once dominated by the MDP, including the capital Male, Addu City, and Kulhudhuffushi City in the north.

    Voters had to choose 93 members to serve for the next five years from a total of 368 candidates in the parliamentary election. Voter turnout was 72.9%, according to the Maldives Elections Commission, which is lower than the 82% recorded in 2019.