India's Chamber of Commerce has called on Indian carriers operating in the Maldives to suspend their operations and called on tour operators to begin boycotting the Maldives.
This came after top officials in the Maldivian government mocked Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his video promoting the Lakashdeep islands which India is promoting as a local tourist destination.
In a letter to industry stakeholders, the Chairman of the Indian Aviation and Tourism Committee of the Indian Chamber of Commerce ICC Dr. Subhash Goyal said that he appealed to all the members and tourism trade associates to stop promoting the Maldives given the anti-India feelings expressed by the officials of the Maldivian government.
These associates include the Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO), Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI), Travel Agents Federation of India (TAFI), Adventure Tour Operators Associations of India and others.
He said that anti-India comments were made even though Indians are one of the biggest sources of foreign exchange and the creation of jobs in the Maldives. The Chairman requested the associations to divert all such inquiries to Lakshadweep and Andaman and Nicobar Islands which he described as better than the Maldives in many ways.
Dr.Goyal also said that they should look into other Asian destinations they can promote including Sri Lanka, Mauritius, Bali, and even Phuket.
The Chairman also appealed to Indian carriers operating in the Maldives to suspend their operations and seriously think of operating to Lakashwdeep and said he had asked investors to divert their investments to the islands too to get a better return on their investments.
Dr. Goya said that this appeal has been made as a patriotic Indian in the larger national interest.
Every country has its own national interest . India is promoting its own tourist destination . There is no wrong in it . Since maldives national interest now changed to china . India will take it own course nothing wrong in it . India is saying its own people not to go to maldives what wrong in it . Tll now india or its pm not told anything against maldives