The hands and feet of the Maldives are beginning to swell, appealing to Indians to come, he said

New Delhi. Amid strained relations between India and the Maldives, Maldives’ tourism minister on Monday urged Indians to contribute to his country’s tourism-dependent economy. Maldives Tourism Minister Ibrahim Faisal emphasized the historic ties between Maldives and India in an interview with ‘PTI Video’ here.

“We have a history,” he said. Our newly elected government also wants to work together (with India). We always promote peace and friendly environment. Our people and government will warmly welcome the incoming Indians. As tourism minister I want to say to Indians please be a part of Maldives tourism. Our economy depends on tourism.

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In fact, Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared some pictures and videos from Lakshadweep on January 6 at ‘X’, upon which three Maldivian ministers made derogatory comments against India and PM Modi on social media.

The incident sparked strong reactions in India and people took to social media to boycott Maldives and not go there for tourism. According to a report published on Monday, the number of tourists from India to the Maldives fell by 42 percent in the first four months of this year compared to the first four months of last year.