The Maldives government has expressed gratitude to India on Saturday for lifting export restrictions on essential commodities during this fiscal year.
This gesture of support comes at a crucial time, as the relationship between Male and New Delhi has remained strained since November, when President Mohamed Muizzu took office, and within hours demanded that India repatriate its military personnel from his country.
Moreover, India has also given the green light for the export of a staggering one million tons each of stone aggregate and river sand.
Maldivian Foreign Minister, Moosa Zameer expressed his gratitude to India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and the government of India, and highlighted that India's decision to renew the quota for the export of essential commodities to the Maldives not only reinforces the longstanding bilateral friendship, but also underscores the commitment to fostering future growth in trade and commerce.
Maldives Expresses Gratitude to India for Export of Essential Goods Despite Row
© Photo : Twitter/@MoosaZameer
India, a major producer of rice, sugar, and onion, has imposed various curbs on exports of these essential food commodities to control domestic prices ahead of the general election.
The Indian high commissioner said that the revision in the quantity of the essential commodities was made possible "under a unique bilateral mechanism".
"The approved quantities are the highest since this arrangement came into effect in 1981", the notice stated.