The sudden plunge in tourist numbers was a result of a boycott of the Maldives by Indian travel companies and individual tourists, following a diplomatic dispute earlier this year.

Announcing Zameer's visit, the Ministry of External Affairs said it is expected to lend further momentum to the bilateral cooperation.

Amid a diplomatic standoff, Maldives Foreign Minister Moosa Zameer on Wednesday arrived in New Delhi on an official visit to India to discuss bilateral ties between the two countries.

India-Maldives: Bilateral ties between India and Maldives are set to take a decisive turn with the maiden visit of their Foreign Minister Moosa Zameer amid a raging row between the countries over the withdrawal of Indian military personnel from the island nation even as the Mohamed Muizzu government deepens its relationship with China.

Amid strained diplomatic ties with India, Maldives' Tourism Minister Ibrahim Faisal has now urged Indians to visit Maldives.

Maldives foreign minister Moosa Zameer on Wednesday left for India on his "very first bilateral official visit", the maiden high-level visit fro.

In May, the Maldivian tourism minister appealed to Indians to be part of the country's tourism as its economy depended on it. Its foreign minister will be in India on May 9. The Maldives is reaching out to Indians after tourists from India to the country dipped by 42% in the first four months of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023.

According to the release, the Maldivian Minister will hold a meeting with the External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to discuss the bilateral and regional issues of mutual interest