India’s boycott impacted country, people of Maldives are sorry: Ex-President Mohamed Nasheed

Former Maldivian President Mohamed Nasheed raised several concerns over India’s boycott call on the Maldives over a diplomatic row between the two countries, saying it has impacted the island country’s tourism sector and conveyed apologies on behalf of the people of Maldives.

The row ensued after Maldivian ministers used derogatory language against Prime Minister Narendra Modi after his visit to Lakshadweep.

Relations between India and the Maldives have nosedived after current President Mohamed Muizzu, widely seen as a pro-China leader, came to power and issued a series of directives aimed at distancing from India, such as demanding the withdrawal of Indian military personnel from the island country and refusing to restart a hydrographic survey.

Speaking to news agency ANI on India’s boycott call of Maldives, Nasheed said, “It has impacted the Maldives a lot, and I am actually here in India. I’m very worried about this. I want to say the people of the Maldives are sorry, we are sorry that this has happened. We want Indian people to come on their holidays to the Maldives, and there will not be any change in our hospitality”.