Maldives Expresses Gratitude To India For Essential Commodities Amid Diplomatic Tensions

India's gesture to renew the quota allowing the export of certain quantities of essential commodities for the Maldives signifies the longstanding bilateral friendship and commitment to further expand trade and commerce, as stated by Maldivian Foreign Minister Moosa Zameer on Saturday.

The export of certain quantities of essential commodities for the year 2024-25 was allowed by India at the request of the Maldives government, announced by the Indian High Commission on Friday, as reported by Hindustan Times.

Maldives Expresses Gratitude to India - But Why?

The move was announced through a post on social media platform X by the Indian High Commissioner, stating that it was done "under a unique bilateral mechanism" where the quotas for each of these items have been revised upwards. "The approved quantities are the highest since this arrangement came into effect in 1981," the notice by the mission highlighted.

India recieved a gratitude message for the move by Zameer on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter.

Taking X, Zameer wrote, "I sincerely thank EAM @DrSJaishankar and the Government of #India for the renewal of the quota to enable #Maldives to import essential commodities from India during the years 2024 and 2025." "This is truly a gesture which signifies the longstanding friendship, and the strong commitment to further expand bilateral trade and commerce between our two countries," he said.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar Response to the post

The response to Zameer's post by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar highlighted India's firm commitment to its Neighbourhood First and Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR) policies. The 'Neighbourhood First' Policy emphasizes the renewed primacy sought by India to attach to its neighbouring countries.

Maritime cooperation in the Indian Ocean region, known as Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR), is India's policy or doctrine.

The announcement of the renewal of the quota comes amidst a diplomatic row between the two countries since November last year, when President Mohamed Muizzu, known for his pro-China leanings, demanded India to repatriate its 88 military personnel from his country within hours of taking the oath.

The relations were further strained when crass comments were made by three Maldivian officials after Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted photos and videos of the Lakshadweep Islands, resulting in a heavy backlash by Indians, including many celebrities. The #BoycottMaldives campaign led to a significant decline in Indian tourists to the island nation as well.

The 1981 India and Maldives trade agreement provides for the export of essential commodities. According to records from the Indian High Commission, growing from modest beginnings, India-Maldives bilateral trade was crossed the USD 300 million mark for the first time in 2021, which further surpassed the USD 500 million mark in 2022, as per HT reports.

According to Friday's announcement, there has also been an increase of five per cent in the quotas for eggs, potatoes, onions, sugar, rice, wheat flour, and dal (pulses). Last year as well, the export of rice, sugar, and onions to the Maldives continued by India despite a worldwide ban on the export of these items from India.

"India remains strongly committed to supporting human-centric development in the Maldives, as part of its 'Neighbourhood First policy," it said. The quota for river sand and stone aggregates, crucial items for the booming construction industry in the Maldives, has been increased by 25 per cent to 10,00,000 MT each, it added, as reported by Hindustan Times.

Surrounded by the ocean, the islands in the Maldives and the many atolls don't have enough river sand to support their construction industry, hence the need for importing sand and stone aggregates to the country.