COLOMBO/NEW DELHI - One of the leading travel platforms in India, EaseMyTrip, announced the indefinite suspension of flight bookings to the Maldives following a recent social media controversy that strained relations between India and the island nation. The Maldives heavily relies on tourism, constituting almost one-third of its economy, with India and Russia being its primary sources of visitors. The decision by EaseMyTrip, the second-largest online travel booking platform in India, comes in response to derogatory remarks made by three now-suspended Maldivian ministers about Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The suspended ministers, Malsha Shareef, Mariyam Shiuna, and Abdulla Mahzoom Majid, had referred to Modi as a "clown," "terrorist," and "puppet of Israel" on a social media platform in response to a video of his visit to the Indian islands of Lakshadweep. President Mohamed Muizzu's 'India Out' campaign, coupled with the ministers' inflammatory comments, has strained diplomatic ties between India and the Maldives. This development coincides with President Muizzu's state visit to China, a departure from the usual convention where Maldivian leaders make New Delhi their first international destination.

EaseMyTrip's Executive Director, Prashant Pitti, justified the suspension, stating, "We decided to take this step because any self-respecting nation should do this. The statements which we heard from the representatives of the Maldives government were extremely derogatory to the country." Pitti emphasized that his company would prioritize promoting Lakshadweep over foreign destinations, even if it resulted in a temporary decline in international tourism.

In response to the controversy, many Indians, including celebrities, took to social media to endorse domestic destinations over the Maldives. The Maldives government has suspended the deputy ministers involved in the remarks, while New Delhi has expressed its concerns to the Maldivian envoy and held discussions with the Maldivian foreign ministry.

Tourism serves as the Maldives' largest foreign exchange earner, with India and Russia contributing significantly to the sector. The Maldives aims to attract two million arrivals in 2024, but the recent diplomatic tensions and travel suspensions may pose challenges to achieving this target.