Over the recent political developments in the Maldives, India expressed concern and asked its nationals to postpone all inessential travels to the Indian Ocean nation until further notice.
In an advisory, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said Indian expatriates in Maldives are also alerted to the need for heightened security awareness, and urged to exercise due caution in public and avoid public gatherings.
“The prevailing political developments in Maldives and the resultant law and order situation is a matter of concern for the government. Indian nationals are, therefore, advised to defer all non-essential travels to Male and other atolls until further notice,” the advisory said.
In the past few days, there has been an 18 percent rise in cancellation of trips to the Maldives (as per data extracted from travel websites). The political unrest in Maldives is discouraging many travellers from planning trips to this otherwise popular tourist spot.
The unrest began after President Abdulla Yameen defied a Supreme Court ruling to reinstate opposition MPs and release political prisoners. This also led to the declaration of an emergency.