Notably, two advanced light helicopters-- (ALH) and a Dornier aircraft-- provided by New Delhi have been extensively used for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations.
Ever since Muizzu came into power, his government actively advocated an "India out" campaign in the Maldives in order to "free the country from Indian military presence".
The victory of MDP candidate, Adam Azim, is considered the major blow to Muizzu, as the post was earlier held by Muizzu till he resigned for the Presidential elections last year.
President Mohamed Muizzu remarks have come as he returned to Maldives after concluding five-day China visit. During Muizzu’s visit to China, the two countries also signed an agreement to allow Maldives’ national airline, Maldivian, to conduct domestic flight operations in China.
Amid the ongoing India-Maldives row, EaseMyTrip reiterated that all travel bookings to the Maldives have been suspended indefinitely as the nation takes precedence over profits for the company. However, the Maldivian government has distanced itself from the derogatory remarks directed at PM Modi.
The statement comes at a time when India and Maldives have been involved in a diplomatic row following derogatory statements made by three Maldivian ministers against Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Ismail admitted that the current government has more favourable and stronger relations with China amid strained ties with India. A diplomatic uproar erupted following disparaging remarks against PM Modi, which led to thousands of people boycotting the Maldives as a tourist destination.
The Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) on Wednesday urged all film producers to call out their shooting bookings in the Maldives and choose the Indian islands of Lakshadweep instead. Scroll down to know the full story.
A video circulating online, purportedly showing Hrithik Roshan cancelling a Maldives tour in solidarity with boycott appeals, has been debunked by India TV Fact Check. The video, from November 2023, actually reveals Roshan announcing the cancellation of his Kuala Lumpur concert in Malaysia.
Earlier on Sunday, the government of Maldives issued a statement saying it was aware of derogatory remarks on social media platforms against foreign leaders and high-ranking individuals and added it did not represent the views of the government.
Following an 11-week-long observation in the archipelagic nation in the Indian Ocean, upon the invitation of national authorities, the EU EOM found the campaign run by the PPM-PNC coalition was based on fears of Indian influences on the nation.
Muizzu, who is currently on a five-day visit to China, was accorded a red carpet welcome and a 21-gun salute after reaching the airport.
The decision is intended to boost tourism in the union territory of Lakshadweep and enhance surveillance capabilities over the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean.
President Muizzu is currently on a five-day visit to China, where he appealed for increased efforts to attract Chinese tourists to the Maldives, especially in light of cancellations by Indian tourists.
Maldives Association of Travel Agents and Tour Operators (MATATO)’s appeal came in a letter to the CEO of an online travel platform in India after it announced the suspension of all flight bookings to the island nation on its website in solidarity with India.
Muizzu’s appeal for more Chinese tourists came amid a diplomatic row following the derogatory remarks by some Maldivian ministers against Prime Minister Modi after he posted a video of him on a pristine beach during his recent visit to Lakshadweep.
The tension between India and Maldives rose after Mariyam Shiuna, now suspended, Deputy Minister of Youth Empowerment, Information and Arts, criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent visit to Lakshadweep.
Last week, Prime Minister Modi had visited Lakshadweep Islands and had appealed to Indian tourists to visit the pristine and beautiful islands.
The remarks by the ministers have drawn flak in India, with many celebrities urging people on X to explore domestic tourist destinations instead of going to the Maldives.
A massive controversy erupted last week following derogatory remarks by deputy minister of Maldives and other ministers who made derogatory remarks against India and PM Narendra Modi. Social media in India called to boycott Maldives on a large scale and explore Indian islands instead.
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