Maldives Vs Lakshadweep: An overview of the Islands in news!

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to Lakshadweep has sparked noteworthy discussions, particularly in the context of the Maldives. After the controversial statements made by the leaders in Maldives, the Maldivian government has suspended them. The remarks garnered diverse reactions, particularly from Bollywood personalities or citizens, on various platforms in India.

Lakshadweep and Maldives are both archipelagic regions situated in the Indian Ocean, but they differ in terms of governance, geographical location, and cultural context. Let’s know more about these Islands which have been trending in the news:

1. Geographical Location:

Lakshadweep: Lakshadweep is an archipelago located off the southwestern coast of India. It consists of 36 islands and islets, and it is the smallest union territory of India.

Maldives: The Maldives is an independent country situated southwest of Sri Lanka and India. It is an archipelago comprising 26 atolls, and it is known for its tropical beauty and coral reefs.

2. Governance:

 Lakshadweep: Lakshadweep is an administrative unit of India and is governed by an Administrator appointed by the President of India. It is considered a union territory.

Maldives: The Maldives is a sovereign nation with its own government, headed by a President. It gained independence from British protection in 1965 and has been a republic since 1968.

3. Cultural Context:

Lakshadweep: The culture of Lakshadweep is influenced by Indian traditions. The people of Lakshadweep are known for their vibrant festivals, traditional music, and dance forms.

Maldives: The Maldives has a distinct culture influenced by South Asian, Middle Eastern, and African traditions. Islam is the official religion, and Maldivian culture is characterized by traditional music, dance, and festivals.

4. Tourism:

Lakshadweep: Tourism is gradually developing in Lakshadweep, and the islands are known for their pristine beaches, coral reefs, and marine biodiversity.

Maldives: The Maldives is a popular international tourist destination, renowned for its overwater bungalows, clear turquoise waters, and vibrant coral reefs.

While both regions share some similarities due to their island nature, the differences lie in their governance structures, geographical locations, and cultural influences.

Maldives is situated towards the southwest of India, approximately 1,000 kilometres from the coast of Kochi. The name “Maldives” translates to “Garland of Islands,” and it gained independence in 1968. Comprising a group of 1,200 islands, not all are inhabited, with a total land area of around 300 square kilometres, roughly five times smaller than Delhi. Dhivehi and English are the spoken languages, and the estimated population is around 400,000. The islands face the risk of rising sea levels due to changing weather patterns.

Maldives does not require a visa, but a permit is required to go to Lakshadweep. There are plenty of flights from India to Maldives, But flights to Lakshadweep are less.

Tourism is the mainstay of the economy in Maldives. According to AVAS Media in Maldives, Indians make up the largest number of visitors there. Approximately 3 lakh Indians in 2021, two and a half in 2022, and 2 lakh Indians in 2023 visited the country. Sun Island, Glowing Beach, Male City, Mafushi, Mamigili, and Artificial Island are major tourist destinations in Maldives. January to April is the best time to visit there.

To get there currently i.e. in the last week of January, a ticket can cost around 10 thousand rupees, while the travel time is expected to be 2 hours.

According to media reports, approximately 25 thousand tourists visited Lakshadweep last year. This number is 8 times less compared to Maldives. Lakshadweep is a one-and-a-half-hour flight from Kochi. Agatti Island has an airport. From there, boat or helicopter services are available to reach other islands. Lakshadweep can also be reached by water from Kochi.

The journey takes approximately 14-18 hours. Kavaratti Island, Light House, Jetty Site-Mosque, Bangaram, Thinnakara Agatti are some of the major tourist spots in Lakshadweep.