From being the top tourist group visiting the archipelago nations, Indians went down to the sixth position in January on the back of mass ticket and hotel booking cancellations triggered by a diplomatic standoff between the two countries.
The Maldives has said India withdrew more than half of its troops deployed in its territory ahead of a Friday deadline, as the strategically located archipelago strengthens ties with China.
The police detained one person who was a local while there was no immediate information on identities or nationality of those injured in the altercation.
A thumping victory for his party in this month’s parliamentary elections has lent Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu a free hand. But observers say his country is simply ‘too small’ to be taking sides.