The Aviation and Tourism committee of the Indian Chamber of Commerce on Monday appealed to travel agencies and tour operators to boycott the Maldives as a tourist destination amid the diplomatic row between the two countries.

In a statement, the chairman of Aviation and Tourism Committee of ICC said, "I appeal to all members and Tourism Trade Associations like: Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO), Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI), Travel Agents Federation of India (TAFI), Adventure Tour Operators Association of India (ATOAI), Association of Domestic Tour Operators (ADTOI) and MICE Agents to stop promoting Maldives in view of the anti-India feelings expressed by the Ministers of Maldives."

In the press release, the ICC also requested the organisations divert any inquiries for Maldives to Lakshadweep and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, as well as other places in the Indian Ocean like Sri Lanka, Mauritius, Bali, and Phuket.

Deputy ministers Maryam Shiuna, Malsha Shareef and Abdullah Mahzoom Majid have been suspended for insulting Modi. They have been suspended amid widespread criticism.

The Foreign Ministry said in a statement on the issue yesterday that the opinion of the government officials is not the word of the government. They said they would not hesitate to take action against those responsible.

Some Indians are also campaigning on social media under the name of Maldives Out.