Beach visit by Indian PM Modi sparks diplomatic tiff with Maldives
Some in the Maldives took offence after a tweet from India's prime minister promoting the beaches of Indian territory Lakshadweep, and it snowballed into a diplomatic fight, with loud calls on social media for Indian tourists to boycott the island country that relies heavily on tourist dollars.
![Beach visit by Indian PM Modi sparks diplomatic tiff with Maldives](https://i.cbc.ca/1.7081666.1705076000!/fileImage/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/16x9_620/1877370785.jpg)
![A spat between India and the Maldives over where Indians should be taking their beach vacations has highlighted the deep reliance the island nation has on tourism from its larger ally and neighbour, as well as India's qualms over China's growing influence in the region. People enjoying a walk on the beach in Hulhumale, on the small island nation in the Indian Ocean, on December 26, 2023.](https://i.cbc.ca/1.7081666.1705076000!/fileImage/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/16x9_620/1877370785.jpg)
Some in the Maldives took offence after a tweet from India's prime minister promoting the beaches of Indian territory Lakshadweep, and it snowballed into a diplomatic fight, with loud calls on social media for Indian tourists to boycott the island country that relies heavily on tourist dollars.