India Approves Highest-Ever Export Quotas To Maldives For Essential Commodities

The High Commission of India in the Maldives said that the quotas for each of these items have been revised upwards.

The High Commission of India in the Maldives said that the quotas for each of these items have been revised upwards. Image used for representational purpose. ( Image Source :Getty )

Amid the row with the Maldives, India has allowed for the export of certain quantities of essential commodities for 2024–25 under a unique bilateral mechanism, at the request of the Maldives government. The High Commission of India in the Maldives took to X on Thursday and said that the quotas for each of these items have been revised upwards.

https://t.co/Xxh1P2sS1S pic.twitter.com/FvgAcksXTE

— India in Maldives (@HCIMaldives) April 5, 2024

"Upon the request of the Government of Maldives, the Government of India has allowed for export of certain quantities of essential commodities for the year 2024–25 under a unique bilateral mechanism, wherein the quotas for each of these items have been revised upwards," the high commission stated.

Notably, the quantities approved by India are the highest since this arrangement came into effect in 1981. The quota for river sand and stone aggregates, crucial items for the booming construction industry in the Maldives, has been increased by 25 percent to 1,000,000 metric tonnes, as per the statement.

There has also been an increase of 5 percent in the quotas for eggs, potatoes, onions, sugar, rice, wheat flour, and dal (pulses). Moreover, last year as well, India continued to export rice, sugar, and onions to the Maldives despite a worldwide ban on the export of these items from India.

"India remains strongly committed to supporting human-centric development in the Maldives, as part of its 'Neighbourhood First' policy," the statement by the Indian High Commission in the Maldives stated.

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Maldives Moosa Zameer said: ""I sincerely thank EAM S 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."

EAM S Jaishankar replied: "India stands firmly committed to its Neighbourhood First and SAGAR policies."

You are welcome, FM @MoosaZameer.

India stands firmly committed to its Neighbourhood First and SAGAR policies. https://t.co/mKYOYu2aM9

— Dr. S. Jaishankar (Modi Ka Parivar) (@DrSJaishankar) April 6, 2024

India-Maldives Diplomatic Ties

Notably, ties between India and the Male have been strained since Muizzu assumed office, as he criticised New Delhi during and after the presidential polls.

In March, the Maldivian President struck a reconciliatory tone, saying India would continue to remain his country's closest ally and urging New Delhi to provide debt relief to the island nation.

In an interview with the local media, Muizzu said India was instrumental in providing aid to the Maldives and has implemented the greatest number of projects, PTI reported.

India will continue to remain the Maldives' closest ally, he said, emphasising that there was no question about it, PTI reported, citing a report by Maldives news portal Edition.mv. This came after the first batch of Indian military personnel left the island nation. By May 10, Muizzu had demanded that all 88 military personnel, manning the three Indian aviation platforms, should leave the country.