#208: Lakshadweep is NOT Maldives in 2024

Why? Problem & Solution for UPSC

India can do whatever it want but..

..Lakshadweep will NOT replace Maldives in 2024👀

Why? Learn in 4 points👇🏼

1. Geography

a) Male has an airport, Lakshadweep has an aerodrome

b) It is not JUST aerodrome issue

• 'Touristy' resorts are <200km from Male

• Minicoy, most populated island of Lakshadweep is 300km from Agatti

Worse? Check flights from BLR!👇🏼

2. First mover advantage

• Maldives = 10x (Lakshadweep) [in size]

• Stats 🤯👇🏻

How?

Infra spending & direct flights from 60 global cities

3. Islamic radicalization

• Steady radicalization, pro-fundamentalism

• Maldives sends most people per capita to fight for ISIS

• 'India is adversary' agenda furthered w/ 'Hindu' govt. in Delhi

4. China angle

• Invested in more 'visible' places:👇🏻

Politicians, Propaganda, Infra

• Subsidized state carrier flights to Male

• India Out funded by dragon hands in glove with Islamists!

So CSEWhy, there's no solution?😯👇🏻

Before I share solution, here are some numbers:

• Maldives GDP: $6bn; trade w/ India: $1bn

• Indians account for most tourists to 🇲🇻

Now, What shall India do to develop Lakshadweep?

1. Airport

• Reclaim land to build infra (Mumbai reclamation type model)
• Enable direct flights from the global & Indian cities

Goal is not to bring more foreigners alone but also Indians!

2. Infrastructure

• Lakshadweep is already Instagram-able, bring Maldives like infra!
• Develop connectivity, optics fibre & adventure sports
• Seaplanes from Kerala

3. Ease of Travel

• Explore visa availability for Lakshadweep only (away from mainland)
• Direct flights for Indians from the mainland

4. Travel-Circuit

• Develop Kerala-Lakshadweep circuit
• Seaplane shall play crucial game here
• Can also do Goa-Gokarna-Lakshadweep circuit

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