The Maldives has thanked Bharat for resuming the quota to import essential commodities during 2024 and 2025.
In a post on the social media site X (formerly known as Twitter), the Maldives’ Minister of Foreign Affairs Moosa Zameer extended his thanks on behalf of the island nation.
“I sincerely thank EAM Dr S Jaishankar 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,” wrote Zameer.
“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 added.
Responding to the statement, India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar also took to X, to respond, stating that Bharat is ‘committed to its neighbourhood first and SAGAR policies’.
The Indian High Commission in a post on X said this follows a request from the Maldives government. Under a special bilateral mechanism, the move is conducted resulting in the highest approved quantities since the arrangement’s inception in 1981.
The notice by the mission said, ‘The approved quantities are the highest since this arrangement came into effect in 1981’.
The renewal of the quota aligns with Bharat’s Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR) policy, which focuses on maritime cooperation in the Indian Ocean region.
Additionally, it underscores Bharat’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ Policy, which seeks to prioritise relations with neighbouring countries.
The announcement comes amid diplomatic tensions between the two nations after relations soured following President Mohamed Muizzu’s demand for the recovery of Bharatiya military personnel and subsequent controversies surrounding social media posts by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
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