Amid a strained diplomatic relation between the two nations, India recently allowed the export of certain quantities of essential commodities for 2024-25 under a unique bilateral mechanism, at the request of the Maldives government.
The Indian High Commission in Maldives said the quotas for each of these items have been revised upwards.
“Upon the request of the Government of Maldives, the Government of India has allowed for export of certain quantities of essential commodities for the year 2024-25 under a unique bilateral mechanism, wherein, the quotas for each of these items have been revised upwards,” the statement issued by the Commission on X said.
Maldives thanks India for initiative
Maldives’ Minister of Foreign Affairs Moosa Zameer thanked India for the gesture and posed on X: “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.
S Jaishankar reacts
Indian Foreign Minister S Jaishankar reacted to his post and wrote on X: “You are welcome, FM @MoosaZameer.India stands firmly committed to its Neighbourhood First and SAGAR policies.”
Recent controversy
Recently, Indians have expressed anger against Maldivian authorities on social media after its Minister Mariyam Shiuna’s disparaging comments on Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a “clown” and “puppet” in posts on X, which have since been deleted.
These tweets were removed following criticism and backlash on the micro-blogging site.
Other Maldivian officials, including another minister named Zahid Rameez, also mocked Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Lakshadweep after the photos garnered significant attention on social media as many drew comparisons between Modi’s visit and the Maldives.