Canadian PM Justin Trudeau’s aeroplane broke down for the second time in four months, this time during his visit to Jamaica. The Canadian Armed Forces had to send another plane to Jamaica, where Trudeau had gone to spend a vacation with his family after his plane had become ‘unserviceable’, a report published by CBC News said.
Earlier in September 2023, the Canadian PM was stuck in New Delhi for a day and a half after his aircraft developed snags. Trudeau was in India to attend the G20 Summit in New Delhi. However, his return was delayed for two days after pre-flight checks revealed mechanical failure.
Trudeau, compelled to use military planes for security purposes, embarked on a vacation to Montego Bay, Jamaica, with his family on December 26. Initially slated to return to Canada on January 4, a maintenance concern surfaced on January 2 during an aircraft inspection. The maintenance team swiftly addressed the issue, deploying on January 3 and successfully restoring the aircraft to operational status.
Trudeau’s plane safely returned to Canada on January 4. Both the aircraft that transported Trudeau to Jamaica and the one carrying the maintenance crew are part of the military’s more recent Challenger fleet acquired in 2020.
Trudeau’s overseas vacations have sparked controversy on several occasions. In 2016, a visit to the Aga Khan’s private island led to a determination by former ethics commissioner Mary Dawson that Trudeau had breached ethics rules prohibiting ministers from accepting gifts or other advantages.
Despite Trudeau’s assertion that the trip was within the rules due to his longstanding friendship with the Aga Khan, Dawson found that their contact had been minimal for decades before Trudeau assumed leadership of the Liberal Party.
Concerning the Jamaica trip, Trudeau’s office initially indicated that he would cover his family’s accommodations. However, it later clarified that Trudeau and his family were staying in Jamaica “at no cost at a location owned by family friends.”
The High-Level Committee relating to the holding of simultaneous elections in the country has issued a public notice inviting public comments on the issue.
“Notice for inviting suggestions from members of the general public for making appropriate changes in the existing legal administrative framework to enable simultaneous elections in the country,” stated the notice.
The suggestions can be posted on the committee’s website, onoe.gov.in or sent by email to [email protected], as stated in the notice.
Earlier, the High-Level Committee constituted held its preliminary meeting under the chairmanship of former President Ram Nath Kovind; Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah;Minister of State (Independent Charge), Ministry of Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal; former Leader of Opposition, Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad; former Chairman, 15th Finance Commission N. K. Singh; Dr. Subhash C. Kashyap, former Secretary General, Lok Sabha; and Sanjay Kothari, former Chief Vigilance Commissioner.
Harish Salve, Senior Advocate, joined the meeting virtually.
One Nation, One Election was constituted through a notification dated September 20, 2023. As per the Terms of Reference, the Committee was required to make recommendations for creation of an appropriate legal and administrative framework for holding simultaneous elections on a permanent basis, identification of necessary amendments to the Constitution and related election laws, preparation of common electoral rolls, logistics such as EVMS/VVPATS, etc.
Suggestions are invited in writing from members of the general public for making appropriate changes in the existing legal administrative framework to enable simultaneous elections in the country. All suggestions received by January 15, 2024, will be placed before the Committee for its consideration, as stated in the public notice issued.
(This news report is published from a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has not been written or edited by OpIndia staff)
A third batch of court documents related to the Jeffrey Epstein case was released on Friday (5th January), unveiling more high-profile individuals linked to the convicted sex offender. This latest disclosure, part of an ongoing legal battle, adds to the already controversial Epstein saga.
The 950-page documentation, made public on Wednesday and Thursday as part of a lawsuit by Virginia Giuffre against Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s former girlfriend and collaborator, contains names previously redacted as J Doe versions in court files. The Friday release was of 1300 pages. Total number of pages has now surged to 2600. Key figures named include former US President Bill Clinton, Britain’s Prince Andrew, pop icon Michael Jackson, and illusionist David Copperfield. The documents stem from Giuffre’s 2017 settlement with Maxwell, where Maxwell was accused of defaming Giuffre by calling her a liar.
Specific allegations in these documents include details about Prince Andrew’s visits to Epstein’s private island and Johanna Sjoberg’s claims of meeting Michael Jackson and David Copperfield at Epstein’s residence. The documents, revealing interactions and visits to Epstein’s properties, underscore the widespread reach of his network which also includes an unnamed winner of a Nobel Prize in chemistry.
This third batch of documents is crucial in understanding the scope of Epstein’s connections with global elites. It complements the previously released batches, which have already implicated several high-profile individuals in Epstein’s notorious sex trafficking operation.
Significantly, the documents detail allegations against Prince Andrew and Bill Clinton, with specific instances described by Giuffre and other accusers. One of the documents includes Maxwell’s testimony confirming Prince Andrew’s visit to Epstein’s secret island in the US Virgin Islands. Johanna Sjoberg, another Epstein accuser, claimed to have met Michael Jackson and David Copperfield at Epstein’s Palm Beach residence and made allegations against Clinton.
The background of the case traces back to Jeffrey Epstein, a wealthy financier who was arrested in July 2019 on federal charges of sex trafficking minors in Florida and New York. He died by suicide in his jail cell in August 2019, before his trial could commence. Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s former girlfriend, was convicted in December 2021 for her role in aiding Epstein’s crimes, including trafficking and grooming underage girls.
Epstein’s case has garnered international attention due to its sensational nature and the involvement of powerful figures. His known properties, including his private island in the US Virgin Islands, a mansion in New York, and a residence in Palm Beach, Florida, have been focal points of the investigation. These locations are alleged to have been venues for the abuse and trafficking of minors.
The ongoing release of court documents stems from a larger legal process to uncover the full extent of Epstein’s criminal network. The unsealing of these documents represents a significant step in the quest for justice for Epstein’s victims. As the legal proceedings continue, further details are expected to emerge.
In line with the Yogi Adityanath government’s vision, Ayodhya is emerging as a prominent global destination for both tourism and spirituality. The Yogi Government’s Heritage Village Themed Home Stay Scheme aims to introduce guests from around the world to the rich tapestry of Awadhi culture within a rural setting. Visitors will have the chance to immerse themselves in the renowned hospitality, lifestyle, and cuisine of the region.
This initiative weaves together the elements of a rural atmosphere and modern residential amenities. From wood-flame-baked roti (chulhe ki roti) to leisurely bullock cart rides, the scheme provides a journey that connects with the serene traditions of the past while offering the conveniences of present-day living. The blend of these elements contributes to an enriched and expansive encounter with Awadhi culture.
In urban areas, children often miss out on experiencing their heritage, but the allure of encountering a rural environment remains strong. Addressing this, the Yogi Government has conceived the Heritage Village Themed Home Stay Scheme.
Remarkably effective, this initiative introduces children to unique experiences such as enjoying roti baked over a low flame of wood and coal – a delightful surprise for those raised in modern environments. Beyond nutritional benefits, the scheme offers a bullock cart ride, satisfying curiosity.
Preserving the natural environment and promoting rural tourism, this initiative showcases village culture with its mud houses, offering the present generation a unique opportunity for cultural awareness. Embracing both modern and traditional aspects, the scheme not only features in-demand recipes but also serves the authentic taste of local flavours in the cuisine.
Daulatpur will become the medium to give a new identity to Ayodhya
This scheme of the Uttar Pradesh Tourism Department is being developed by the Ayodhya Development Authority near Samada Bird Sanctuary in Daulatpur on Rae Bareli Road, close to Kola Moiya Kapurpur in Sohawal Tehsil, approximately 12-15 km from Ayodhya.
This upcoming project aims to immerse visitors in village culture, offering a glimpse into rural life within charming mud houses. The allure of the rustic environment is expected to captivate tourists visiting Ayodhya. The ongoing renovations of houses cater to the preferences and needs of discerning travellers.
Currently, Abhinav Srivastava’s property has been transformed into a ‘Mud House’, featuring displays of natural elements. Guests can relish a unique dining experience under the shade of mango trees. The rental for a day is Rs 9,500, inclusive of two rooms, a lawn, sports facilities, and bathing arrangements for children in tube wells.
Ayodhya Development Authority identifies 18 other properties
Ayodhya Development Authority advisor Rakesh Singh said that these facilities have started on a property in Daulatpur. The influx of tourists to Ayodhya has witnessed a rapid rise. In addition to exploring prominent temples like Ram Mandir and Hanumangarhi, visitors from both the country and around the globe express a keen interest in bringing their children to experience the rural environment and gain awareness.
Expanding on this initiative, 18 other properties have been identified for further development. The district administration is actively providing comprehensive support to foster activities that promote rural tourism in these locations.
A 36-year-old father was arrested by the authorities in Mumbai’s Kurar over the charges of sexually violating his two minor daughters for the last three years and getting them pregnant, reported The Indian Express. The victims are identified as 13 and 14 years old. The younger daughter had also been brutally beaten by him using a belt when she resisted his abhorrent actions. They lost their mother around ten years ago after which the accused, who is a driver by profession, took a second wife.
The girls alerted their neighbours and grandmother about their ordeal, but nobody offered any assistance. The perpetrator eventually ended up in jail when the matter was reported to the police with the assistance of a non-governmental organisation (NGO). The two girls lost their mother about ten years ago, according to the authorities and were raised by an aunt in Nalasopara for five years before she too left following her marriage.
He used to rape them in the absence of their stepmother and threatened to kill the girls if they disclosed their horrifying situation to anyone. Their aunt had visited them recently when the two broke down and shared their trauma with her. The former was shocked and terrified by what she heard. She then informed a nearby acquaintance who subsequently made contact with a social worker who is also a Mahila Sangharsh Samiti member with the aid of another individual.
The social worker, who is the complainant in the matter unveiled, “The two told me their entire story while continuously weeping. They also told me that besides sexually abusing and assaulting them, their father also used to ask them to bring their friends home and convince them to give him pleasure. I took the girls to the police station. Their medical examination report indicated sexual assault. At the hospital, doctors also found out that the two are pregnant by over 50 days.”
The cops captured the offender in response to her accusations. Meanwhile, sections 376 (2)(f) (when rape is committed on a woman when she is under 12 years of age), 376 (2)(n) (repeated rape on the same woman), 504 (insulting someone intentionally to provoke them) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code, as well as sections 4 (penetrative sexual assault), 6 (aggravated penetrative sexual assault), 8 (punishment for sexual assault), and 12 (punishment for sexual harassment) of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses Act, are invoked against him.
On 6th January (Saturday), Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to his official X (Twitter) account to share another devotional song dedicated to Shri Ram amid the rising surge in enthusiasm and jubilant exhilaration among Shri Ram devotees.
Sharing Swasti Mehul’s rendition of ‘Shri Ram Aayenge’, PM Modi praised the Bhajan noting that the hymns keep resonating in the ears for a long time.
He wrote, “If you listen to this hymn of Swasti ji once, it keeps resonating in the ears for a long time. Fills the eyes with tears and the mind with emotions.”
स्वस्ति जी का ये भजन एक बार सुन लें तो लंबे समय तक कानों में गूंजता रहता है। आंखों को आंसुओं से, मन को भावों से भर देता है। #ShriRamBhajanhttps://t.co/0nD3XmAbzk
The devotional song, uploaded on 2nd January to celebrate Shri Ram’s auspicious return at the Sanctum Sanctorum which is now rightfully situated at his birthplace, is gaining popularity. It has already crossed the 3 lakh viewers mark, and with PM Modi’s shout-out for the Bhajan acting as a catalysing force, the singer and the Bhajan are winning the hearts of Shri Ram devotees across social media platforms and media organisations lining up to interview her.
Notably, days ahead of the mega Pran Pratishta ceremony in Ayodhya, PM Modi has been sharing devotional songs dedicated to Lord Ram in line with the announcement he had made during his recent Mann ki Baat program on 31st December 2023.
During his Mann ki Baat address, PM Modi had urged people to upload creative work on Ram Mandir with hashtag #ShriRamBhajan on social media adding that he will be sharing some of them through his official X account.
Earlier, PM Modi, from his official X account, praised singers Jubin Nautiyal, Hansraj Raghuwanshi, and Swati Mishra for their devotional songs on Shri Ram and urged Shri Ram devotees to emerge themselves in Shri Ram’s Bhajan.
भगवान श्री राम की प्राण-प्रतिष्ठा के सुअवसर पर अयोध्या के साथ-साथ पूरा देश राममय हो रहा है। राम लला की भक्ति से ओतप्रोत जुबिन नौटियाल जी, पायल देव जी और मनोज मुंतशिर जी का यह स्वागत भजन दिल को छू लेने वाला है…#ShriRamBhajanhttps://t.co/qg3vIDyeMa
अयोध्या में प्रभु श्री राम के स्वागत को लेकर पूरा देश राममय है। राम लला की भक्ति में डूबे भक्तजन इस शुभ दिन के लिए तरह-तरह से अपनी भावनाएं प्रकट कर रहे हैं। भगवान श्री राम को समर्पित हंसराज रघुवंशी जी का ये भजन सुनिए… #ShriRamBhajanhttps://t.co/kDSO8SNzxW
In their interactions with media organisations, the elated singers thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for sharing their devotional songs and for his ‘leadership’ with Jubin Nautiyal adding that he sees PM Modi as a global leader.
It is important to note that amid rising spiritual anticipation for the much-awaited grand consecration ceremony, social media users can also share their devotional songs on Lord Ram with the hashtag #ShriRamBhajan.
Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha ceremony
The Pran Prishtha ceremony for Ram Lalla will be performed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 22nd January at Shri Ram Janmabhoomi in Ayodhya. Before that, the Vedic rituals for the grand ceremony will begin on 16th January 16, a week before the main ceremony which will be attended by around 7,000 distinguished guests.
As per the scheduled program, a priest from Varanasi, Lakshmi Kant Dixit, will perform the main rituals of the consecration ceremony of Ram Lalla on 22nd January 22.
From 14-22 January, Ram Nagri Ayodhya Dham will mark the Amrit Mahautsav.
A 1008 Hundi Mahayagya is set to take place and arrangements have been made to provide food for thousands of devotees who will visit the temple town in the coming days. Multiple tents have been erected in Ayodhya to host the anticipated influx of devotees for the grand consecration. The Sri Ram Janambhoomi Trust has outlined provisions for 10,000-15,000 individuals.
Meanwhile, BJP, RSS, VHP, and other social and cultural Hindu organisations have announced their plans to mark the occasion in its grandeur. The members of Hindu outfits have been visiting households with ‘Akshat’ (rice) and invitation cards to visit Ram Mandir after the inauguration ceremony concludes on 22nd January. They have also been making arrangements to livestream the Pran Pratishtha ceremony in thousands of temples across the country.
A major controversy erupted after Khursheed Alam (Lal Babu), an Assistant Professor at Jay Prakash University (JPU) in Bihar’s Chhapra made anti-national posts on Facebook demanding a ‘separate’ nation for Indian Muslims by adjoining Pakistan and Bangladesh. Meanwhile, Akhil Bhartiya Vidhyarthi Parishad (ABVP) has registered a strong protest against Khursheed Alam’s controversial Facebook posts.
छपरा: JPU के प्रो. खुर्शीद आलम पर बड़ा आरोप, अलग मुस्लिम राष्ट्र की माँग का स्लोगन लिखने का आरोप। pic.twitter.com/8SGEvSEgvk
ABVP members have submitted a memorandum to the Vice Chancellor Professor Ranjit Kumar of Narayan College Goriyakothi, Siwan, a unit of JPU seeking his dismissal.
ABVP activists have demanded the formation of an investigation committee and the filing of a case against Professor Khursheed Alam. State University Work Co-Head Rajnikant Singh, University Convenor Prashant Singh, University Research Head Himanshu Kumar, and Prabhakar Kumar were among those who handed over the memorandum. BJYM state regional in-charge Rajiv Tiwari, on the other hand, demanded action from the university in this matter and stated that the students will protest until appropriate action is taken. Meanwhile, the varsity authorities have issued a show-cause notice to Professor Khursheed Alam.
OpIndia checked the Facebook profile of the accused professor and found numerous anti-national posts instigating Indian Muslims to seek a separate ‘homeland’.
On Tuesday (2nd January), Khursheed Alam alias Lal Babu wrote on Facebook appealing to the governments of neighbouring Islamic countries Bangladesh and Pakistan that Indian Muslims want a separate nation for themselves as he wrote, “I am appealing both the governments that the Indian Muslims want a separate homeland adjoining Pakistan and Bangladesh.”
In another post, Alam claimed that Hindu nationalists are ‘justifying the two-nation theory as he wrote, “The Hindu nationalists are justifying the two-nation theory, therefore the much-publicized communal questions needed to be resolved first.”
It is worth mentioning here that the Two Nation Theory was first touted by Sir Syed Ahmed Khan, the founder of the Aligarh Muslim University. Khan had in 1876 said that he was convinced that Hindus and Muslims could never be one nation owing to the distinctiveness of their way of living and religion. Years later, in 1888, Khan asserted that if the British left India with all their canons and weapons, who would rule this country he argued that both Hindus and Muslims could not sit on the same throne, adding that one must conquer the other.
In other Facebook posts, Khursheed Alam expressed his respect for the national anthems of Pakistan and Bangladesh.
Another post by the JPU university professor reads, “India is harassing the Muslim minorities, the right to dissent is completely violated by the government.”
On 19th December last year, Professor Alam wrote, “The Hindu Rights have demolished the entire idea of secularism, the time has come that the Muslims must demand a separate homeland adjoining Pak and Bangladesh.”
In a 29th September 2023 post, Khursheed Alam wrote, “Long live Pakistan” and demanded the “right to dissent and self-determination”.
In another outrageous post, Alam lamented that Indian Muslims have been languishing in jails for years under UAPA and other stringent provisions. He also expressed his disdain for Brahmins as he accused the Bhartiya Janata Party and even Congress of being “Brahminical parties”.
In his above-mentioned and other posts, the JPU professor has repeatedly claimed that the Indian government has failed to uphold the right to dissent of religious ‘minorities’, specifically Muslims. Contrary to his assertion, Indian Muslims have a greater right to dissent in India than even in Islamic countries. While the professor laments the fact that a significant number (30%) of people in Indian jails are Muslims, he overlooks the fact that people are imprisoned for the crime they committed, not their religion.
Notably, Indian jails have four types of prisoners: convicts (those found guilty of a crime and sentenced by a court), undertrials (those currently on trial in a court of law), detainees (those lawfully detained), and those who do not fit into any of these three categories and make up a small proportion of the total number of prisoners. Instead of encouraging community-wide introspection, the communist ‘professor’ is peddling fissiparous propaganda and inciting his co-religionists to seek a separate nation.
A young woman doused her cousin in petrol and set him ablaze in Delhi’s Wazirabad, according to reports. The deceased Abdullah had a one-sided love affair with the accused who is his uncle’s (mother’s brother) daughter. She allegedly committed the crime to get rid of his eccentric obsession with her. On 5th December, the police filed a First Information Report under the murder section. The dead body was handed over to the family members after post-mortem and no one has been arrested yet.
According to a police officer, the victim was employed as a delivery boy for an online retailer and resided in the Sangam Vihar neighbourhood with his family members. His uncle’s family also lives in the vicinity. On the fateful day, the perpetrator sent him a message inviting him to her house when no one was there. She made him sit on the sofa and left under the guise of bringing tea. However, after some time she brought petrol in a bottle and poured it on Abdullah before lighting a match.
He hurriedly fled the place and ran onto the street and started removing his clothes, but by that time he already sustained severe burns. Locals reported the incident to the Police Control Room (PCR) after managing to put out the fire. He was admitted to the Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narayan Hospital (LNJP) in critical condition and passed away in the early hours of 6th January while receiving medical treatment. The authorities initially filed a case of attempted murder which was then changed to murder. The investigation is at present underway.
According to the authorities, the girl might have perpetrated the criminal act as a result of the deceased’s strange fixation on her, causing lots of trouble for her. However, they are also looking into other possibilities, such as whether he lied to trick. They have seized the CCTV footage of the area and Abdullah’s phone is also being scrutinised.
Police videotaped the final statement before his life ended in which he charged the girl with putting petrol and setting him on fire. He did not, however, provide an explanation for the same. A senior police officer participating in the inquiry disclosed that Abdullah’s one-sided affection for the girl has been established at this point in the probe. He added that the man had slashed his hand’s vein during her engagement ceremony some time ago and she was going to get married soon.
Actor Randeep Hooda, who is all set to portray freedom fighter Vinayak Damodar Savarkar in the movie ‘Swatantrya Veer Savarkar’, on Saturday, flagged off the Swatantraveer Savarkar Mukti Shatabdi Yatra from Yerwada Central Jail in Pune. On January 6, 1924, Vinayak Damodar Savarkar was released from the jail.
“Today is a very historic day, as today it has been 100 years since Savarkar Ji was released from jail and he was kept under house arrest in Ratnagiri and was in district arrest. The day he left from this jail, he first went to Bombay and then went to Ratnagiri, where he remained in the Restricted Movement for the next thirteen years,” Randeep told ANI.
He added, “He is such a great freedom fighter for our country, about whom people know very little. I hope that through my movie, people will know more about him. If you read about him in detail, you will come to know that his contribution to the country was very big. Whatever wrong concepts people have about him, watch the movie once and read about him, then decide.”
Vinayak Damodar Savarkar was born on May 28, 1883, in the Marathi Chitpavan Brahmin Hindu family of Damodar and Radhabai Savarkar in the village of Bhagur, near the city of Nashik, Maharashtra. He was a freedom fighter, an activist and a writer. He was a leading figure in the ‘Hindu Mahasabha.’
Savarkar started participating in the freedom movement while still a high school student and continued doing so while attending Fergusson College in Pune. He got active with groups like India House and the Free India Society while studying law in the United Kingdom. He also published books that promoted revolutionary methods for achieving total Indian independence.
The British colonial authorities outlawed one of his works, ‘The Indian War of Independence’, which was about the 1857 ‘Sepoy Mutiny’ or the First War of Independence.
Like Bhagat Singh, Subhash Chandra Bose, Khudiram Bose, Madanlal Dhingra, and many others, Veer Savarkar also served as an inspiration.
However, according to director Sandeep Singh, he was misunderstood by many people throughout history, and the film will reveal the truth about him and his efforts.
Directed and co-written by Randeep Hooda with Utkarsh Naithani, Swatantrya Veer Savarkar is produced by Anand Pandit Motion Pictures and Randeep Hooda Films with Legend Studios and Avak Films. ‘Pavitra Rishta’ fame Ankita Lokhande will be seen opposite Randeep Hooda in the film.
Earlier this week, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Lakshadweep in the Arabian Sea. PM Modi shared stunning images of the beautiful beaches of Lakshadweep and even went snorkeling. The Prime Minister also interacted with the locals during his visit to the beautiful islands.
The visit brought the attention of the world to the islands, and Lakshadweep remained the most googled keyword for 2 days in a row. The pristine beaches and the scenic beauty has become the focus of the world following PM Modi’s visit. The attempt by the PM to promote Lakshadweep as a tourist destination seems to have gotten off to a strong start.
While the Prime Minister also talked about several development projects in the archipelago, it was clear that tourism industry was the prime focus. Located in the Arabian Sea, Lakshadweep is a great destination for tourists who want to enjoy beautiful beaches and indulge in adventure sports in the water. This visit by PM Modi signals India’s intent to push Lakshadweep as an alternative to Maldives.
India’s neighbour in the Arabian Sea, Maldives, is the preferred tourist destination across the world, but particularly among Indians. The country of 1200 islands, mostly uninhabited, is highly popular as a destination in India. From film stars to sports persons to influencers, everyone likes to go to Maldives and share photos of their trip on social media.
However, located in the same geography, Lakshadweep doesn’t get that many visitors as Maldives and PM Modi’s government clearly wants to change that. The Indian Union Territory offers the same experience as the neighbouring country.
This pitch to promote Lakshadweep as the destination of choice over Maldives is also seen as a snub to the island nation which is recently being seen as “pro-China” and anti-India sentiments being fueled there. Last year, Mohamed Muizzu was elected as the President of Maldives, someone who is pro-China. Shortly after his election, he raised tensions with India by asking India toi withdraw its troops from the island nation.
Meanwhile, he is close to China’s communist party and is pandering to Chinese interests in the region. China has already started using Maldives territory to maintain its presence in the Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean. A new Free Trade Agreement is also in the pipeline between China and Maldives.
Tourism still remains the main source pf revenue for Maldives however, and Indian attempt to cut its share in the tourism industry by promoting Lakshadweep as its alternative, is a clear signal to Maldives. By promoting Lakshadweep, India is sending a message to Maldives that their recent anti-India and pro-China steps are being noted, and India is displeased.
Apart from bringing prosperity to the archipelago, development of Lakshadweep will also tell Maldives that they need to course-correct when it comes to relationship with its neighbour.
