Congress leader Adhir Chowdhury expressed concern over the deteriorating relationship between India and Maldives, claiming that Maldives is now choosing China over India.
The number was more than 2.4 lakh in 2022 while over 2.11 lakh Indians flew to the Maldives in 2021. The Maldives was also one of the few countries open for international tourists during the pandemic and nearly 63,000 Indians visited the country in that period.
Former foreign minister of Maldives Abdullah Shahid condemned derogatory remarks made against Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi by Maldivian officials, calling for the government to reprimand them and maintain decorum in public discourse.