Quota increase indicates friendly relations with India. The permitted import quota during the new deadline has also been increased to five percent from the previous agreement.
Minister for Foreign Affairs, Moosa Zameer, has emphasized that the extension of the deadline for the importation of basic goods under an agreement between the Maldives and India highlights the friendly and close relationship between the two countries.
For the year 2024-2025, specific products agreed upon between the two countries will be available at special prices. These include onions, rice, sugar, flour, potatoes, eggs, lentils, stone aggregate and river sand.
The permitted import quota during the new deadline has been increased to five percent from the previous agreement.
Minister Zameer expressed gratitude to the government of India through X, noting the long-standing relationship between the two nations.
“…It also signifies the mutual desire of both countries in fostering and enhancing trade relations”, he said.
I sincerely thank EAM @DrSJaishankar 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.
— Moosa Zameer (@MoosaZameer) April 5, 2024
This is truly a gesture which signifies the longstanding friendship, and the strong…
Details of goods permitted by India: - Eggs: 428 million
- Potatoes: 21,000 metric ton
- Onions: 36,000 metric ton
- Rice: 124,000 metric ton
- Flour: 109,000 metric ton
- Sugar: 64,000 metric ton
- Lentils: 224 metric ton
- Stone aggregate: 1,000,000 million metric ton
- River sand: 1,000,000 million metric ton While Zameer highlighted the close relations between the two countries, there had been tension with India for some time in the past.
The relationship between the two countries deteriorated after certain Maldivian deputy ministers insulted Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a significant social media uproar. India began to promote Lakshadweep, an Indian Union Territory and was allegedly accused of running an anti-campaign against Maldivian tourism.
The government of India expressed discontent over it, leading the Maldivian government to take action and suspend the three deputy ministers. Subsequently, there was a robust campaign by Indian social media activists advocating for a boycott of the Maldives. It gained momentum, with prominent Indian celebrities also endorsing the call for a boycott.
President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu assumed office after advocating against Indian military presence in the Maldives. The Maldivian government initiated discussions with the Indian government, resulting in the partial withdrawal of Indian troops last month. Both nations have agreed to replace the troops with civilians, with some set to depart this month. By May 10th, all Indian troops in the Maldives are scheduled to depart, with military aircrafts donated by India to be operated by Indian civilian experts.
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