Explorer

No Proposal Made To Maldives For Bilateral Free Trade Agreement By Govt: Ministry Of External Affairs

Last week, Maldivian Minister for Economic Development and Trade Mohamed Saeed indicated that India has initiated efforts to have an FTA between the two countries.

India on Thursday said it has not made any proposal to the Maldives for a bilateral free trade agreement (DTA) and that it was ready to consider if the island nation expresses interest for such a pact.

"No specific proposal for a bilateral FTA with the Maldives has been made by the Government of India," Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said.

"If the Government of Maldives expresses interest in having an FTA with India, we will give it due consideration," he said.

Jaiswal's comments came in response to a question at his weekly media briefing.

Last week, Maldivian Minister for Economic Development and Trade Mohamed Saeed indicated that India has initiated efforts to have an FTA between the two countries.

"They (India) want there to be a Free Trade Agreement with Maldives, in addition to SAFTA (South Asian Free Trade Agreement)," Saeed told a press conference in Male.

The Maldives President has offered this opportunity to all countries, Saeed said, adding that the government aims to enter into such agreements with as many countries as possible to offer ease in trade activities.

The ties between India and the Maldives came under strain since November last year when President Mohamed Muizzu, known for his pro-China leanings, took the oath.

Within hours of his oath, he had demanded the withdrawal of Indian military personnel from his country. The last of the Indian military personnel were replaced by civilians earlier this month. The Maldives is one of India's key maritime neighbours in the Indian Ocean Region and the overall bilateral ties including in areas of defence and security witnessed an upward trajectory under the previous government in Male. 

(This report has been published as part of the auto-generated syndicate wire feed. Apart from the headline, no editing has been done in the copy by ABP Live.)

View More
Advertisement
Advertisement
25°C
New Delhi
Rain: 100mm
Humidity: 97%
Wind: WNW 47km/h
See Today's Weather
powered by
Accu Weather
Advertisement

Top Headlines

'India-Guyana Ties Made Of Soil, Sweat': PM Modi At Guyanese Parliament, Says 'Democracy First, Humanity First'
'India-Guyana Ties Made Of Soil, Sweat': PM Modi At Guyanese Parliament, Says 'Democracy First, Humanity First'
Maharashtra: Two Latest Exit Polls Show Landslide Victory For Mahayuti, BJP To Emerge As Largest Party
Maharashtra: Two Latest Exit Polls Show Landslide Victory For Mahayuti, BJP As Largest Party
Pakistan: Over 50 Killed, 20 Injured As Militants Open Fire On Passenger Vehicles In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Pakistan: Over 50 Killed, 20 Injured As Militants Open Fire On Passenger Vehicles In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
International Criminal Court Issues Arrest Warrants Against Israeli PM Netanyahu, Ex-Minister Gallant
Arrest Warrants Issued Against Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu, Ex-Minister Gallant
Advertisement
ABP Premium

Videos

India Emerges as G20's Growth Leader, Check Out the Latest GDP Rankings | ABP NewsAirtel-Nokia Partnership: Nokia’s Spectacular Comeback, Shakes Up the Telecom Sector | ABP NewsAdani Group in Turmoil: Bribery Scandal Rocks Shares, Plunge by 20% | ABP NewsPLI Scheme: Transforming India's Manufacturing Sector into a Global Powerhouse

Photo Gallery

Embed widget