The Indian government announced on Friday that it has authorized restricted exports of vital commodities such as sugar, wheat, rice, and onions to the Maldives. This decision comes amidst strained relations between Male and New Delhi, attributed to the escalating influence of China in the region.
India, a major exporter of rice, sugar, and onions, has implemented several restrictions on the export of these food commodities to stabilize local prices ahead of the upcoming general election.
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Shipments of these commodities to the Maldives for the financial year 2024/25, which began on April 1, “will be exempted from any existing or future restriction or prohibition on export,” the government stated in a notification.
The Maldives has been granted access to export 124,218 metric tonnes of rice, 109,162 tonnes of wheat flour, 64,494 tonnes of sugar, 21,513 metric tonnes of potatoes, 35,749 tonnes of onions, and 427.5 million eggs from the South Asian nation.
India has also permitted the export of 1 million tons each of stone aggregate and river sand.
The Maldives, which has historically maintained close relations with India, is shifting its focus towards Beijing since the election of President Mohamed Muizzu in October. He was elected on a platform promising to move away from the country’s pro-India stance.
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