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New Delhi:

India has allowed limited exports of essential commodities such as sugar, wheat, rice and onions to the Maldives, the government said on Friday, even as relations between Male and New Delhi remain tense amid China’s growing influence.

India, a major exporter of rice, sugar and onions, has imposed various restrictions on the export of these food items ahead of the election to suppress local prices.

The government said in a notification that shipments of these goods to the Maldives “will not be subject to any existing or future export restrictions/prohibitions” during the 2024/25 financial year starting April 1.

The South Asian country has allowed exports to the Maldives of 124,218 tonnes of rice, 109,162 tonnes of wheat flour, 64,494 tonnes of sugar, 21,513 tonnes of potatoes, 35,749 tonnes of onions and 427.5 million eggs.

India also allows the export of 1 million tons each of stone and river sand.

The Maldives, which has traditionally had close ties with India, is turning to Beijing since the election of new president Mohamed Muizzu in October last year on a promise to end the country’s pro-India stance.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)