Lakshadweep, with its strategic location near a country experiencing growing proximity with China, and its predominantly Muslim population, holds significant importance in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently visited the region and shared his experience through pictures on X (formerly Twitter). He expressed his admiration for the breathtaking beauty of the islands and the warm hospitality of the locals.
During his two-day visit to the South, which included Tamil Nadu and Kerala, PM Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for various developmental projects worth over Rs 1,150 crore in Lakshadweep. He also highlighted the completion of several other projects during his government’s tenure of the past 10 years. Impressed by the scenic beauty of Lakshadweep, PM Modi emphasized its potential as a must-visit tourist destination for Indians. This visit marked the beginning of the BJP’s ‘Mission South’ in preparation for the 2024 elections.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah echoed PM Modi’s sentiments and praised the mesmerizing beaches, blue water lagoons, and other attractions of Lakshadweep. He expressed gratitude to PM Modi for promoting the region, believing that it would boost tourism, the economy, and ultimately improve the living standards of the people. Amit Shah shared his thoughts on X.
Nevertheless, PM Modi’s visit to Lakshadweep held deeper significance than initially perceived.
‘VOCAL FOR LOCAL’
“Lakshadweep is more than just a collection of islands; it represents a timeless heritage of customs and a testament to the resilience of its people. My visit has been a rewarding journey of education and personal growth,” stated PM Modi on X.
The endorsement of Lakshadweep as a tourist destination aligns with the Prime Minister’s advocacy for selecting Indian locations for weddings and tourism. In November of last year, he questioned the trend of hosting weddings abroad, particularly among affluent families, and encouraged such events to be held within the country as part of the ‘Wed in India’ initiative.
“Even individuals with limited means will share stories of your wedding. Can we expand the ‘Vocal for Local’ mission to include wedding ceremonies? Why not celebrate these occasions within our own nation?” he inquired during the 107th edition of Mann ki Baat.
He reiterated this proposal during his speech at the Uttarakhand Investors’ Summit in Dehradun last month, urging Indians to consider having at least “one destination wedding” in the scenic Himalayan state. He suggested that, similar to the ‘Make in India’ campaign, a new movement called ‘Wed in India’ should commence, encouraging young citizens to marry within the country and showcasing its strengths and capabilities.
“For those seeking to embrace their adventurous side, Lakshadweep must be included in your itinerary. During my visit, I also had the opportunity to try snorkelling – it was an exhilarating experience,” PM Modi shared on X on Thursday.
GEOPOLITICAL ADVANTAGE
The Prime Minister’s efforts to promote Lakshadweep as a tourist destination can also be viewed as a response to the popularity of the Maldives, a neighboring country that is known for its beautiful beaches. The Maldives is made up of around 1,200 islands, but only about 100 of them are inhabited. Many of these islands are renowned for their tourism industry.
Furthermore, there have been concerns about the Maldives adopting an ‘anti-India’ stance due to its increasing ties with China.
On November 18 of last year, the newly-elected President Mohamed Muizzu formally requested India to remove its military presence from the Maldives. Muizzu emphasized his commitment to maintaining his country’s independence and sovereignty by ensuring that there is no foreign military presence. In December 2023, the Maldivian President announced that India had agreed to withdraw its military forces.
This was a key aspect of Muizzu’s election campaign.
China and Muizzu’s party have established strong relations, with China’s influence in the Maldives becoming increasingly evident in recent years. China has leased as many as 10 islands in the Maldives and is reportedly deploying ships and conducting significant military operations there. Additionally, China is seeking permission from the Maldives to dock its ‘research survey vessel’ of the Yuan Wang series for deep-water exploration in the Southern Indian Ocean starting this month. Furthermore, there have been discussions about a potential free trade agreement between China and the Maldives.
If the current government led by Muizzo agrees to these arrangements, it would pose a setback for India.
To counter this, India could focus on Lakshadweep, as the strategic location of this archipelago would provide India with an advantage in monitoring Chinese activities in the Maldives.
MUSLIM VOTERS
In his speech delivered in Lakshadweep, PM Modi extended his support to the Muslim community, which constitutes the majority of the population in the archipelago. He highlighted the measures implemented by his BJP government for Haj Yatris, which have greatly benefited the people of Lakshadweep. The Prime Minister also acknowledged the significant increase in the number of Indians undertaking ‘Umrah’ due to the simplified Haj visa process, digitization, and the permission for women to go on Haj without a ‘Mehram’.
During his address, PM Modi expressed his appreciation for the warm reception and blessings he has received from the people of Lakshadweep, emphasizing their generosity despite the small size of the region. This gesture not only demonstrates the Prime Minister’s outreach to the Muslim community in Lakshadweep ahead of the Lok Sabha elections but also extends to Kerala. The close relationship between Lakshadweep and Kerala, both economically and in terms of commodities, further strengthens the significance of PM Modi’s address to the Muslim-majority population. This can be seen as an effort to garner support from Muslim voters in both the Union territory and Kerala in the upcoming polls.