Govt permits export of essential commodities from Kandla, Vizag ports to Maldives

New Delhi: The Government on Thursday said it has permitted the export of essential commodities, which are under the prohibited or restricted category, to the Maldives from Kandla and Vishakhapatnam seaports during the financial year.

With the addition of these two ports, the number of ports permitted for exports to the Maldives has gone to six.

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"Kandla and Vishakhapatnam Customs Sea ports have been added to the list of ports allowed for export of essential commodities, which are under the prohibited/restricted category, to the Maldives for the fiscal year 2024- 25," the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) said in a notification.

The bilateral trade between India and the Maldives increased marginally to USD 978.56 million in 2023-24 from USD 973.37 million in 2022-23.

India's exports have risen to USD 892 million in the last fiscal from USD 476.75 million in 2022-23.

Indian imports from the Maldives primarily comprise scrap metals while Indian exports include a variety of engineering and industrial products like drugs and pharmaceuticals, radar apparatus, rock boulders, aggregates, cement and agricultural produce like rice, spices, fruits, vegetables and poultry produce.

The development assumes significance as the ties between India and the Maldives have come under severe strain since November last year when President Mohamed Muizzu, known for his pro-China leanings, took charge as Maldivian president.

Muizzu had asked India to withdraw nearly 90 Indian military personnel operating three aviation platforms gifted by the country. India withdrew its military personnel by May 10 and replaced them with civilian personnel to operate a Dornier aircraft and two helicopters.

Muizzu was in New Delhi in June to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. It was his first visit to India after he became the island nation's president in November last year.

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