India finds itself embroiled in a geopolitical tug-of-war as the Israel Embassy issued a statement on Monday, encouraging its citizens to consider India as a tourist destination. This announcement comes in the wake of the Maldives government’s decision to ban Israeli tourists from entering the island country. Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu made the announcement as a gesture of solidarity with the people of Gaza, who have been enduring airstrikes by the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) for nearly eight months.
In response to the Maldives’ ban, the Israeli Embassy in India took to social media platform X to highlight various Indian beaches as welcoming alternatives for Israeli tourists. The embassy’s post emphasized the warm hospitality extended to Israeli visitors in destinations such as Goa, Kerala, Lakshadweep, and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
The promotion by the Israeli Embassy coincides with a deterioration in India-Maldives relations following the election of President Mohamed Muizzu, whose victory was propelled by the ‘India OUT’ campaign. Muizzu’s administration has demonstrated a closer alignment with China, prompting India to withdraw its troops from the island nation.
Interestingly, Israel’s response mirrors India’s previous approach to dealing with the Maldives. Earlier this year, amid derogatory remarks made by Maldivian ministers against Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a boycott of the Maldives gained momentum in India. Many individuals canceled their holiday plans to the island nation, and several tourism-related companies suspended their services there.
