Indian High Commission Approves Export of Vital Goods to Maldives
Photo: MV+
The High Commission of India has announced that, in response to a request from the Government of Maldives, the Government of India has authorised the export of specified quantities of essential commodities to the Maldives within the years 2024 and 2025.
These exports are facilitated under a longstanding bilateral agreement between the two nations, which has endured for over four decades.
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According to a statement released by the Indian High Commission, the quantities approved for export during this period represent the largest allocations since the agreement’s inception in 1981.
Under the terms outlined in the statement, the quota for river sand and stone aggregates has been increased by 25 percent to 1,000,000 Metric Tonnes (MT).
Additionally, quotas for eggs, potatoes, onions, sugar, rice, wheat flour, and pulses (lentil) have each seen a 5 percent increase.
The specific quantities permitted for export for each item are as follows:
- Eggs: 427,536,904 eggs
- Potatoes: 21,513 MT
- Onions: 35,749 MT
- Rice: 124,218 MT
- Wheat Flour: 109,162 MT
- Sugar: 64,494 MT
- Pulses (Lentil): 224 MT
- Stone Aggregate: 1,000,000 MT
- River Sand: 1,000,000 MT
A document shared on social media by the High Commission, signed by the Director General of Foreign Trade in the Indian Government, confirms that exports of these items to the Maldives will be exempt from any existing or future restrictions during 2024 and 2025.
While the previous agreement, established in 2021, was set for a three-year duration, the current agreement spans a one-year period.
Despite a prevailing ban in India on the export of these items, exceptions were made for Maldives in 2023 as well.
In February, when India disclosed the list of countries eligible for onion exports, concerns arose in Maldives regarding the continuity of onion supply from India.
However, the Indian High Commission in Maldives dispelled these rumours, asserting that onion exports to Maldives from India have consistently operated under a distinct bilateral agreement, and will continue without disruption.
The statement shared on social media concludes with a reaffirmation of India’s steadfast commitment to bolstering human-centric development in the Maldives, in line with its ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy.
