Why India boycott Maldives: CAIT asks traders to refrain from dealing with island nation

On Monday, the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) encouraged Indian exporters and traders to avoid business with the Maldives in protest of insulting remarks aimed at Prime Minister Modi.

The controversy started after Modi shared photos on social media site X depicting himself snorkelling and walking along a beach in Lakshadweep, a southern Indian island chain in the Laccadive Sea off the coast of Kerala.

CAIT representatives underlined the business community's condemnation of such insulting remarks, highlighting the significance of mutual respect in diplomatic discourse. 

The appeal requests traders to join together to send a strong statement against such actions by temporarily suspending trade with the Maldives, according to the CAIT.

Former Maldivian Vice President Ahmed Adeeb has severely criticised the "derogatory and racist comments" made by numerous Maldivian politicians towards Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

In an interview with X, he added, "Considering the global economic challenges and the vulnerability of the Maldives tourism industry and economy, it is crucial for us to maintain a friendly and humble approach while fostering positive relations with all nations."

Meanwhile, the Maldivian envoy to India was summoned to the external affairs ministry on Monday and expressed deep worry about remarks made on social media against Modi by a number of Maldivian ministers, according to sources.

However, the Maldives' government banned three deputy ministers on Sunday after they made insulting social media statements about Prime Minister Narendra Modi.