India and Maldives Row | ‘Our tourism is suffering due to India’s boycott, people of the country are sad’, former Maldives President Mohammed Nasheed expressed his pain.

Amid the ongoing diplomatic row between India and Maldives, former Maldivian President Mohammed Nasheed on Friday expressed concern about India’s call for boycott on Maldives and its impact on his country’s tourism sector. He also apologized on behalf of the people of Maldives. Nasheed, who is currently in India, spoke to the media about the tension between the two countries and said that the people of Maldives are “forgiving”. He also said that the people of Maldives want Indian tourists to keep visiting their country.

#WATCH , On Maldives President Dr Mohamed Muizzu’s bully remark, former President of Maldives Mohamed Nasheed says, “…When the President of the Maldives wanted the Indian military personnel to leave you what did India do? They did not twist their arms and muscles but told the… pic.twitter.com/HiiV4U6jPj

— ANI (@ANI) March 8, 2024

The former President told the media “It has had a huge impact on the Maldives, and I am actually here in India. I am very concerned about it. I want to say that the people of Maldives are sorry, we are sorry that this has happened. We want the Indian People should also do this.” “I will come to Maldives on my holidays and there will be no change in our hospitality,” the former President told the media, news agency ANI reported.

The former President also recently met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and said, “I met the Prime Minister last night. PM Modi greeted all of us. I am a big supporter of PM Narendra Modi and I am very fond of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. I wish him all the best.” He also praised the prompt action taken by the current President in removing those responsible for the boycott. The former president said, “I think these matters should be resolved and we should change course and return to our normal relationship.”

Also reflecting on historical ties, Nasheed underlined India’s responsible approach during past challenges, saying, when the President of Maldives wanted Indian military personnel to leave, you know what India did? He did not fold his arms. He did not display strength. But the Maldivian government simply said, ‘Okay, let’s discuss it.’

Nasheed also urged President Mohammad Muizzu to stop talks on Dornier flight and helicopters and said, “It is very unfortunate that President Muizzu held these discussions. I will call him to please stop these discussions on Dornier flight and helicopters. He was brought.” Maldives is for medical evacuation, and medical evacuation is required. Our islands are far and wide, and we do not have developed hospitals on every island. So, often there is a need to bring the patient to Male, and to do that quickly by air means we need that.”

Muizzu, seen as a pro-China leader, had said after taking over as President in November that he would keep his election promise to expel all Indian military personnel from his country. Muizzu had set March 10 as the deadline for the return of the first group of Indian military personnel from the country.

Controversy erupted after three Maldives deputy ministers posted derogatory comments against Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to Lakshadweep.President Muizzi suspended three ministers after their social media postings sparked concern in India and calls for a boycott by Indian tourists, who had the highest number of tourists, followed by Russia.