![Drawing a line in the sand](https://cdn.magzter.com/1390214025/1723865102/articles/Dv1SJjs_J1724004572739/DRAWING-A-LINE-IN-THE-SAND.jpg)
So, India and the Maldives are making up. The Foreign Minister went to Malé, the Maldivian capital, last week on an official visit. And the President of the Maldives attended the swearing-in of the Indian cabinet a few months ago. It's a welcome return to normal.
Unfortunately, the chill in relations has had some impact in the one area that most of us associate with the Maldives: Tourism. Without foreign tourists, the country's economy would collapse.
One angry Indian response to the provocative remarks from the island's politicians was to predict that if Indians stopped going to the Maldives their tourism sector would collapse. And we Indians could go to our own Lakshadweep.
Ah, if things were only that simple! For a start, Lakshadweep does not have Maldives-style resorts. It will take several years for new hotels to be built and for infrastructure to be developed before Lakshadweep emerges as a challenger to the Maldives. And frankly, our record at developing resort destinations is hardly exemplary: Goa is a mess and the Andamans, long touted as The Next Big Thing, have still to realise their potential.
Nor is it clear how much the lack of Indian budget tourists would hurt the Maldives in the medium term: A rush of Chinese tourists could easily fill the vacuum. But, in the short run, it might hurt some Maldivian resorts, which is why the Maldives government is making statements inviting Indian tourists to visit the islands. The sensible thing to do, both governments suggest, is to keep tourism out of temporary political conflicts.
This story is from the August 17, 2024 edition of Brunch.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the August 17, 2024 edition of Brunch.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
![No. Wait. She did what?](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5420/1824534/1ALMz0Pvl1725731889318/NO-WAIT-SHE-DID-WHAT.jpg)
No. Wait. She did what?
These mean girls are self-centred, bratty, and can make your life hell. But they stole the show. Read on, loser. And tell us how it wasssss
![Are you seeing spots too?](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5420/1824534/xUWbKkXzO1725731807358/ARE-YOU-SEEING-SPOTS-TOO.jpg)
Are you seeing spots too?
Jyoti Bhatt's serigraphs use traditional symbols in modern ways, creating art that is slyly clever and full of little stories
![Leave us to our own devices](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5420/1824534/b09qOvkVa1725731739510/LEAVE-US-TO-OUR-OWN-DEVICES.jpg)
Leave us to our own devices
Instead of banning gadgets, restaurants should ban people that are actually disturbing the peace
![Siam Siam, but different](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5420/1824534/hrSpuGIGG1725731618152/SIAM-SIAM-BUT-DIFFERENT.jpg)
Siam Siam, but different
The reason Indians feel instantly at home in Thailand is because their mix of Hindu and Buddhist traditions so closely mirrors our own, creating a comfort zone abroad
![30 things to know before you turn 30 The LOVE EDIT](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5420/1824534/6no0husDV1725730978628/30-THINGS-TO-KNOW-BEFORE-YOU-TURN-30-THE-LOVE-EDIT.jpg)
30 things to know before you turn 30 The LOVE EDIT
Simmer or sizzle? Forever or for the moment? Escape or endure? Break up or make up? 30 tips, thoughts, tidbits for those who can't help falling in love
![The high score in your ear](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5420/1824534/vSXd3YHCa1725730821717/THE-HIGH-SCORE-IN-YOUR-EAR.jpg)
The high score in your ear
Homegrown video games are adding a local musical touch to match the play. Sitar riffs, chants, choruses - it's a new level of immersion
![Turned down, turned sour](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5420/1824534/akigZ3yGZ1725730569358/TURNED-DOWN-TURNED-SOUR.jpg)
Turned down, turned sour
Stalking, sarcasm, squabbles about money. Who'll teach the dating crowd about handling rejection better?
![Stretch out, soften up](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5420/1816992/vR1fBgOHm1725126897764/STRETCH-OUT-SOFTEN-UP.jpg)
Stretch out, soften up
What do you get when you elongate the Thar and add two doors? An SUV that Roxx and gives city folks an off-road fav
![Show them your best side](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5420/1816992/gyCWCD3531725126776966/SHOW-THEM-YOUR-BEST-SIDE.jpg)
Show them your best side
There's always a right time to visit a city to catch it in its best moments. Festivals, monsoons, and spring are a few shortcuts
![A wok to remember](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5420/1816992/nA8vAGHBV1725126640824/A-WOK-TO-REMEMBER.jpg)
A wok to remember
For us, no food is as comforting as Indian Chinese. But even the most familiar dishes travelled the world before they went local