'I Sincerely Thank...': Maldives Foreign Minister After India Allows Exports of Essential Commodities

Maldivian Foreign Minister Moosa Zameer on Saturday thanked India for its gesture to renew the quota, allowing the export of certain quantities of essential commodities for the island nation.

“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,” Zameer said in a post on social media platform X.

“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 responded to Zameer’s post, saying India stands firmly committed to its Neighbourhood First and SAGAR policies.

Neighbourhood First

The newly approved quantities of essentials have been allowed under the unique bilateral mechanism between the two countries, even as ties between Male and New Delhi remained tense in recent months. Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR) is India’s policy or doctrine of maritime cooperation in the Indian Ocean region. India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ Policy underlines the renewed primacy that the country seeks to attach to its neighbouring countries.

In a statement on Friday, the Indian mission in Malé announced that the decision to boost exports was made in response to a request from the Maldivian government to meet the increasing demand for essential commodities in the island nation. The move came even as the ties between the two countries have turned sour under the Mohamed Muizzu government.

River sand, eggs, potatoes, onions, sugar, rice

The Indian high commission said the quota for river sand and stone aggregates, vital for the burgeoning construction sector in the Maldives, has been raised by 25% to 1,000,000 metric tons. Moreover, there has been a 5% augmentation in quotas for eggs, potatoes, onions, sugar, rice, wheat flour, and dal (pulses).

“The quota for river sand and stone aggregates, crucial items for the booming construction industry in the Maldives, have been increased by 25% to 1,000,000 MT. There has also been an increase of 5% in the quotas for eggs, potatoes, onions, sugar, rice, wheat flour and dal (pulses),” the Indian mission said in a press release.

The high commission said the move underlines India’s steadfast commitment to fostering human-centric development in the Maldives, aligning with its ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy. Despite global restrictions on the export of rice, sugar, and onions from India last year, India continued to provide these crucial commodities to the Maldives.

India, a leading exporter of rice, sugar and onions, has imposed some curbs on exports of these food commodities to keep a lid on local prices ahead of the general election starting in April. Maldives, which has traditionally had close ties to India, is believed to be pivoting towards Beijing since the new Muizzu was elected in October on a promise to end the country’s pro-India stance.