• By Kamal Kumar
  • Wed, 10 Jan 2024 06:57 AM (IST)
  • Source:JND
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Maldives-Lakshadweep Row:  Days after the tensions erupted between India and the Maldives over disparaging comments on PM Modi and subsequent backlash by the Indians, a Maldives Tour Operators body on Tuesday wrote to EaseMyTrip CEO Nishant Pitti to re-open flight bookings to the island nation. The letter from the 'Maldives Association of Travel Agents and Tour Operators' came in response to the cancellation of all the flight bookings by the Indian tour and travel aggregator app EaseMyTrip.

The letter while urging EaseMyTrip CEO to open the flight bookings, criticises the minister responsible for the remarks against PM Modi.

"I hope this letter reaches you, although the words within are heavy with concern and a deep sense of sadness. I am reaching out on behalf of the Maldives Association of Travel Agents and Tour Operators (MATATO) in the wake of recent events that have cast a sombre shadow on the relationship between India and the Maldives," the letter sent in the name of Abdulla Ghiyas read.

The president of the association also sought apologies to the Indian people saying that ' the views by the individuals do not reflect the sentiments of Maldivians in general.'

"It is with a heavy heart that MATATO acknowledges the regrettable and derogatory comments made by some Deputy Ministers on social media platforms. These individuals, now suspended from their roles, do not reflect the sentiments of Maldivians in general. MATATO extends its sincere apologies for the hurt caused by this remark," it added.

While requesting the Indian CEO to help in rebuilding the mutual trust between the two countries, the letter highlighted the importance of tourism for the island nation.

"Tourism stands as the lifeblood of the Maldives, contributing over two-thirds of our GDP and providing livelihoods to approximately 44,000 Maldivians who work directly in the tourism sector. The potential adverse impact on tourism holds the power to unleash severe repercussions on our economy, affecting the lives and well-being of man," the letter read.

Earlier, the travel agency company EaseMyTrip on Monday announced it had suspended all Maldives flight bookings after the prominent politicians of Maldives made derogatory comments against India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his Lakshadweep visit. The action was taken amid a fervid boycott Maldives campaign fuelled by netizens across social media platforms.

Meanwhile, the former High Commissioner of India to the Maldives, Dnyaneshwar Manohar Mulay on Tuesday called out the anti-Indian elements residing in Maldives. The ex-diplomat while talking to ANI said that 'some people in Maldives have been polluting the minds of Maldivian people and China has played a significant role in doing this.'

Also Read: EaseMyTrip Suspends All Flight Bookings To Maldives Amid Row Over Anti-Modi Comments

"When Maldives became independent in 1965, from then on till today there have been some hiccups but the bilateral relationship, despite the new regime, I think is a very strong partnership...Whenever such developments happen, even though you see it as a one-off development, some people in Maldives have been polluting the minds of Maldivian people and China has played a significant role in doing this. It has generally been providing all the assistance to the conservative elements in Maldives. The current regime in Maldives is suddenly very conservative...But as they settle down, they would realise that without India it is going to be extremely difficult for Maldives to navigate through their domestic issues, through the issues related to climate change, day-to-day requirements," Mulay said.