The Maldives foreign ministry said the comments – later deleted – were made in a personal capacity and did not represent the official government view. The Lakshadweep archipelago lies adjacent to the Maldives and shares similar white sand beaches and crystal blue waters, but has so far been underdeveloped. Many people in India have pledged to boycott travel to the Maldives in response to the comments, which were condemned by the former Maldivian prime minister Mohamed Solih as “hateful”. The largest number of visitors to the Maldives come from India and Russia. Many people in India have pledged to boycott travel to the Maldives in response to the comments, which were condemned by the former Maldivian prime minister Mohamed Solih as “hateful”.The largest number of visitors to the Maldives come from India and Russia.

Source: The Guardian January 09, 2024 04:19 UTC