Maldives thanks India for allowing limited exports of essential goods amid tensions

Maldives Foreign Minister Moussa Zamel on Saturday thanked India for its decision to increase exports of essential goods to the island nation in the 2024-25 financial year despite diplomatic tensions between the two countries.

In a post on X, Zameer said the move symbolized the “longstanding friendship” and strong commitment to expand bilateral trade between India and the Maldives.

“My heartfelt thanks to EAM @DrSJaishankar and the Indian government for extending the quota to enable Maldives to import essential commodities from India in 2024 and 2025,” he wrote.

“This is truly a gesture that symbolizes long-standing friendship and a strong commitment to further expand bilateral trade and commerce between our two countries,” he said.

Despite rising tensions, the Indian government has lifted restrictions on exports of essential goods to the Maldives, highlighting its “neighbourhood first” policy. The decision comes against the backdrop of heightened geopolitical tensions in the Indian Ocean region, particularly in light of China’s growing influence and the “India Exit” movement led by the government of Mohammad Muizul in the Maldives.

A statement issued by the Indian High Commission in the Maldives detailing the Centre’s decision to increase exports of key commodities said: “As per the request of the Maldives Government, the Government of India has allowed the export of certain quantities of essential commodities to meet the needs of the Maldives.” 2024 -25 years Under a unique bilateral mechanism, the quotas for each of these items are revised upwards. The number approved is the highest since the arrangement came into effect in 1981. “

The revised export quota marks a significant 25% increase in the supply of key commodities such as river sand and stone, which are vital to the Maldivian construction industry, to 1 million tonnes. In addition, export quotas for basic food items such as eggs, potatoes, onions, sugar, rice, wheat flour and beans were increased by 5%.

The move also comes amid a diplomatic row that saw three Maldivian ministers suspended for making derogatory remarks about Prime Minister Narendra Modi after he posted photos of a visit to Lakshadweep and promoted it as a tourist attraction destination.

Muizu, widely seen as a pro-China leader, has asked all Indian troops stationed in his country to leave by May 10.