The Indian government has announced a significant increase in the export quotas of essential commodities to the Maldives for the 2024-25 period. The decision, a continuation of a bilateral agreement in place for over four decades, will see the largest approved export quantities since the arrangement began in 1981.
In a statement released by the Indian High Commission, quotas for construction materials like river sand and stone aggregates have seen a notable 25% increase to one million metric tonnes. Additionally, quotas for essential foodstuffs, including eggs, potatoes, onions, sugar, rice, wheat flour, and pulses, have risen by 5%.
The specific quantities approved for export are as follows: eggs (427,536,904), potatoes (21,513 MT), onions (35,749 MT), rice (124,218 MT), wheat flour (109,162 MT), sugar (64,494 MT), pulses (lentils) (224 MT), stone aggregate (1,000,000 MT), and river sand (1,000,000 MT). The Indian government has confirmed that these exports will be exempt from any current or future restrictions applying to other nations during 2024 and 2025.
In a shift from the previous three-year period agreement, the current arrangement has been set for one year. India has upheld the agreement even in times of global export bans, such as in 2023, demonstrating its commitment to the trade relationship. Recent concerns about potential disruptions to onion exports from India were allayed by the Indian High Commission in the Maldives, emphasizing that the bilateral agreement ensures uninterrupted trade of these essential commodities.
The High Commission statement concludes by reaffirming India’s dedication to supporting development in the Maldives as part of its “Neighbourhood First” policy.
