India has announced the inclusion of two additional ports to export essential commodities to the Maldives.
The Indian High Commission in Maldives said the Kandla port in Gujarat and Vishakhapatnam port in Andhra Pradesh will be used to export essential commodities to the Maldives.
Essential commodities were previously imported to the Maldives from four Indian ports. They are:
- Mundra Sea Port (Gujarat)
- Nhava Sheva Sea Port (Maharashtra/Mumbai)
- Tuticorin Sea Port (Kerala)
- ICD Tughlakabad (New Delhi)
Meanwhile, there has also been a change in the foreign trade policy between Maldives and India.
Neighboring India is one of the largest importers of goods into Maldives. A large percentage of India's imports are essential commodities with export limitations.
These include staples such as flour, sugar, rice and vegetables such as onions, potatoes and chicken eggs.
Construction materials like stones and gravel are also imported from India. These goods are mostly brought by the State Trading Organization (STO).
The Maldives government has also expressed interest in establishing a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with India.
