India – Maldives controversy: Israel to start desalination program in Maldives

In the midst of the India-Maldives diplomatic dispute, the situation for Maldives is further exacerbated as Israel announces the commencement of a desalination program in Lakshadweep.

Expressing solidarity with Lakshadweep, the Israeli embassy in India not only pledged support for tourism promotion in the region but also highlighted their prior involvement in a desalination initiative initiated at the Indian government’s request. This move is seen as a diplomatic setback for Maldives, especially after the criticism from Maldivian ministers regarding Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s social media post about Lakshadweep. In response to their remarks, three deputy ministers were suspended, underscoring the escalating tensions and the diplomatic repercussions faced by the Maldives.

The Israeli embassy in India expressed support for promoting tourism in Lakshadweep on January 9, amidst the ongoing diplomatic tensions between India and the Maldives. The statement from the embassy highlighted their previous involvement in the desalination program in Lakshadweep, initiated at the request of the federal government.

The embassy expressed Israel’s readiness to resume work on this project immediately. To showcase the captivating beauty of Lakshadweep, the embassy shared several images featuring the island’s pristine beaches and majestic underwater landscapes.

Simultaneously, the Maldivian envoy to India was summoned to the external affairs ministry on January 8, where strong concern was conveyed regarding disparaging remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi made by several Maldivian ministers on social media.

Subsequently, three deputy ministers in the Maldivian government were suspended for their remarks.

The Maldivian foreign ministry clarified that the government is aware of derogatory remarks on social media against foreign leaders but emphasized that such expressions represent personal views and do not reflect the official position of the country.

Online insurance platform InsuranceDekho has decided to stop issuing travel insurance to the Maldives amid a diplomatic row between India and Maldives over the derogatory remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi by Maldives Deputy Minister of Youth Empowerment Mariyam Shiuna. InsuranceDekho emphasized on the beauty of Indian islands like Lakshadweep and said it’s time to explore our own island treasures.

Earlier, online travel platform EaseMyTrip decided to suspend all Maldives flight bookings over the diplomatic rift between India and Maldives.