India’s support leads to gratitude from Maldives over export of essential goods amid strained ties
Published on: April 6, 2024.
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The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has announced that India will be exporting essential goods to Maldives under a bilateral trade agreement between the two countries for the years 2024-2025. This move comes as a relief for Maldives, as it will help the nation overcome its economic hardships. In response, Maldives’ Foreign Minister Moosa Zameer expressed his gratitude to India for renewing the quota for the import of essential commodities from India.
Zameer tweeted, “I sincerely thank EAM Jaishankar and the Government of India for the renewal of the quota to enable Maldives to import essential commodities from India during the years 2024 and 2025. This is truly a gesture which signifies the longstanding friendship, and the strong commitment to further expand bilateral trade and commerce between our two countries.”
Despite the diplomatic tensions between the two countries, triggered by the Maldives shifting towards China, this export deal marks an important development in their trade relationship.
The goods that India will export to Maldives include eggs, potatoes, onions, rice, wheat flour, sugar, lentils, stone aggregate, and river sand. These commodities were previously either restricted or prohibited from being exported to Maldives.
The specified quantities of these goods allowed for export include 21,513.08 tonnes of potatoes, 35,749.13 tonnes of onions, 1,24,218.36 tonnes of rice, 1,09,162.96 tonnes of wheat flour, 64,494.33 tonnes of sugar, 224.48 tonnes of lentils, and one million tonnes each of stone aggregate and river sand.
It is worth noting that the export of river sand and stone aggregate will only be permitted if the suppliers/extractors have obtained the necessary clearances and if the mining of sand is not conducted in the coastal regulation zone area, which is prohibited under the coastal regulation zone notification. Exporters must also obtain appropriate environmental clearances from the designated nodal authority of the respective state governments.
This trade agreement between India and Maldives showcases the strong friendship and commitment between the two nations to expand bilateral trade. It is a positive step towards strengthening their economic relationship.
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