Maldives President Urges China to Boost Tourism After Backlash from Indians

Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu has urged China to increase efforts in sending more tourists to the Maldives, seeking to repair the damage from a diplomatic row with India. The appeal comes after derogatory remarks by Maldivian ministers against Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi led to a wave of cancellations by Indian tourists. Despite the suspension of three deputy ministers for their social media posts and condemnation from the Maldives Association of Tourism Industry, the fallout has strained ties. Muizzu, on his state visit to China, emphasized the close partnership with China and praised the Belt and Road Initiative projects. He signed a $50 million deal for an integrated tourism zone, seeking to strengthen economic ties and increase Chinese tourist numbers, highlighting China as the Maldives’ “number one market pre-Covid.”