Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu urged China to send more travelers to his nation on Tuesday amid the ongoing tensions between his country and India. Following his ministers’ disparaging remarks about Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Maldives’ tourism sector suffered a blow.
Muizzu is currently on a five-day visit to China.
Muizzu declared, “China remains one of our closest allies and development partners,” in his speech to the Fujian Province-based Maldives Business Forum. Muizzu also commended President Xi Jinping’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) initiative in China.
A readout published on his official website stated, “China was our (the Maldives’) top market prior to COVID, and it is my request that we intensify efforts for China to regain this position.”
According to Maldivian media, the two nations inked a USD 50 million deal to create an integrated tourism zone on the island in the Indian Ocean.
Known for being a pro-China leader, Muizzu told the Forum that his administration’s priorities are maintaining economic security, expanding the nation’s economic base, and bolstering the travel and tourism sector, according to PTI. At the Maldives Investment Forum, Muizzu also asked Chinese businesses to invest in 11 of its projects.
Tensions between India and the Maldives had escalated due to a major dispute that erupted after certain Maldivian ministers disparaged Modi after his visit to Lakshadweep. In order to increase tourism in Lakshadweep, Modi urged Indians to go there.
