Budget 2024: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday said that projects for port connectivity, infrastructure, and amenities will be expanded for islands - including Lakshadweep.

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"To address fervour for domestic tourism, projects for port connectivity, tourism infra & amenities will be taken on our islands including Lakshadweep," she said while presenting the Budget 2024. 

Tourism has tremendous opportunities and govt will take up the development of iconic tourist centres to attract foreign tourists, she added.

She also said that states will get Rs 75,000 crore in interest-free loans to boost tourism. Sitharaman, in her budget speech, said the Indian middle class also now "aspires to travel and explore". 

"States will be encouraged to take up comprehensive development of iconic tourist centres, branding and marketing them at a global scale. A framework for rating of the centres based on quality of facilities and services will be established," the finance minister said.

Sitharamana's statement holds significance as the government is taking several initiatives to promote tourism in Lakshadweep.

During his visit to Lakshadweep on January 2, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said the Union Territory was "full of many possibilities" and had asserted the Union government was "working with full commitment for the development of the entire Lakshadweep, including Agatti."

A row erupted on social media when a minister and some other leaders in the Maldives used derogatory remarks against Prime Minister Modi after he posted a video of him on a pristine beach in Lakshadweep.

Following this, several Indians and tour operators cancelled their plans to visit the Maldives, which has tilted towards China and away from India under its new President Mohamed Muizzu.