India’s gesture to renew the quota allowing the export of certain quantities of essential commodities for the Maldives signifies the longstanding bilateral friendship and commitment to further expand trade and commerce, as stated by Maldivian Foreign Minister Moosa Zameer on Saturday.
The export of certain quantities of essential commodities for the year 2024-25 was allowed by India at the request of the Maldives government, announced by the Indian High Commission on Friday, as reported by Hindustan Times.
Maldives Expresses Gratitude to India – But Why?
The move was announced through a post on social media platform X by the Indian High Commissioner, stating that it was done “under a unique bilateral mechanism” where the quotas for each of these items have been revised upwards. “The approved quantities are the highest since this arrangement came into effect in 1981,” the notice by the mission highlighted.
India recieved a gratitude message for the move by Zameer on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter.
Taking X, Zameer wrote, “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.
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…
— Moosa Zameer (@MoosaZameer) April 5, 2024
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar Response to the post
The response to Zameer’s post by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar highlighted India’s firm commitment to its Neighbourhood First and Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR) policies. The ‘Neighbourhood First’ Policy emphasizes the renewed primacy sought by India to attach to its neighbouring countries.