A recent public debate in India has emerged surrounding beach destinations, particularly

regarding travel to the Maldives. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the Lakshadweep
islands, where he praised their tourism potential, sparked snarky comments from junior
Maldivian ministers. This incident highlights nationalist sentiments in India and strains in the
historically close relationship between India and the Maldives. Despite longstanding
cooperation, tensions have arisen due to China's growing influence in South Asia. The Maldives'
alignment with China has led to concerns in India, particularly regarding security and economic
matters. The incident underscores the need for India to carefully manage its relationships in the
region and develop more successful partnerships with its smaller neighbors. This approach could
benefit both India's regional standing and local ecosystems. Furthermore, the swift suspension
of the offending Maldivian ministers appears as a victory for India initially, but it may be short-
sighted as it ignores popular sentiments among Maldivians. The incident serves as a reminder
for India to address the complexities of its relationships in the region thoughtfully. Additionally,
there are increasing calls to save Lakshadweep from overtourism, highlighting the importance of
balancing tourism development with environmental conservation.