India, Maldives discuss potential areas of trade amid diplomatic tensions

Male: Amid the diplomatic row between the two countries, Indian High Commissioner to Maldives, Manu Mahavar held a meeting with Maldives’ Minister of Economic Development and Trade, Mohammed Sayeed, to discuss potential areas. Trade and Economic Cooperation.b Maldives Ministry of Economic Development and Trade shared details about the meeting on X, saying, “Minister @em_saeed met the Indian High Commissioner to Maldives, His Excellency Munu Mahavar and discussed potential areas of trade and economic cooperation. Discussed.” In response to the Maldives Ministry’s post on axe, the Indian High Commission in Maldives expressed New Delhi’s desire to continue engagement with the island nation.

“We look forward to continued engagement with @MoEDmv to further enhance India-Maldives economic cooperation,” the Indian High Commission in Maldives posted on Twitter. Notably, this is the first meeting between the two countries after pro-China Maldivian President Mohammed Muizzu’s ruling People’s National Congress (PNC) won the majority in the Maldivian Parliament. His party won 60 seats in the parliamentary elections. It is pertinent to note that relations between India and Maldives have become strained since Maldives President Mohammed Muizzu took charge. Despite this, India has always maintained and continues its soft diplomatic stance towards Maldives.

It is noteworthy that the sanctioned quantity is the highest since the implementation of this bilateral arrangement in 1981. India and Maldives signed a trade agreement in 1981, which provides for exports. Necessary items. The quota of river sand and stone aggregates, vital for the booming construction industry in the Maldives, has been increased by 25 per cent to 1,000,000 metric tonnes. The quota of eggs, potatoes, onions, sugar, rice, wheat flour and pulses has also been increased by 5 percent.

Additionally, last year, India continued to export rice, sugar and onions to Maldives despite a worldwide ban on exports of these items from India. Policy of Neighborhood First,” the statement from the Indian High Commission in Maldives said. He criticized India during and after the presidential election and his government also formally requested India to withdraw its forces from Male. However, in March, Muizzu requested debt relief measures from New Delhi, while local media reported that India would remain the Maldives’ “closest ally”. ,ANI)