Narendra Modi’s vacation photos spark diplomatic crisis between India and Maldives

The Indian Prime Minister’s vacation photos on the Lakshadweep Islands were seen as a desire to divert tourists from the Maldives by certain politicians from the archipelago. Behind this quarrel are actually geopolitical questions.

Nothing is going well between India and the Maldives. At the origin of the big diplomatic “quack” which has just occurred between the two countries, the vacation photos of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Holiday photos in the form of a publicity shot to praise the charm of the Lakshadweep Islands, a paradise archipelago located in the south of India, not very far from the Maldives. Thursday January 4, Narendra Modi published images on the networks showing him walking alone, on the white sand of an immaculate beach, sitting nonchalantly in a wicker armchair facing the turquoise waters of the tropical breeze or even splashing around with a mask and snorkel against colorful fish.

He really tried hard but at least thanks to him the local tourist office didn’t need to buy advertising inserts.

Narendra Modi called all names

This method did not please the Maldives at all. The archipelago does not really want to be robbed of the limelight where tourism, mainly Indian on the archipelago, represents a third of its economy. Three deputy ministers reacted very badly to the photos of Narendra Modi, which they perceived as an attempt to divert tourist flows. They couldn’t hold back calling him names: “clown”, “puppet from Israel”, “terrorist” and many more. Comments which do not reflect the official opinion of our country, says the government which suspended them, but the damage was done. The Indians, who, like their Prime Minister, have a fairly developed nationalist streak, have taken exception.

Today, calls to boycott the Maldives are increasing. It started with Bollywood actors and cricket players, who explained to their millions of subscribers that for their next vacation they would go for an Indian tan, because the Madives are populated by people who are far too poorly behaved.

Under the hashtag #BoycottMaldives, some Internet users even posted screenshots proving that they had canceled their trip and EaseMyTrip, a booking platform which represents nearly 10% of the travel market in India, no longer offers the destination to his catalog “in solidarity with our nation”. The Confederation of All India Traders, one of the country’s largest trade organizations, also called on its members to suspend trade relations with the Maldives. All these rebels are waiting for an apology…

Not just about tourism

The newly elected President of the Maldives, Mohamed Mouizzou, campaigned for a rapprochement with China and against Indian influence, which he considers too important. He also obtained the withdrawal of Indian soldiers stationed on his archipelago. At the time when Narendra Modi was walking on his beach in flip-flops, he was in Beijing on an official visit. The Maldives occupy a strategic place in a highly coveted area of ​​the Indian Ocean, New Delhi does not want to lose control. It is therefore as clear as the waters of the lagoon. The depiction of Narendra Modi in flip-flops on the beach is indeed a threat of retaliation hidden behind the postcard appearance.