India assures Maldives on honouring commitment on supply of essentials

Maldives on Friday requested India for renewal of DGFT notifications regarding assured supply of essential commodities as per the bilateral trade agreement. India has assured that the commitment will be honoured.

This request was made when Foreign Minister of Maldives Abdulla Shahid met his Indian counterpart here.

This was their 8th meeting since November 2018 when the government under President Solih took office in Maldives.

This visit took place on the heels of EAM's visit to Maldives in February this year.

The two Ministers discussed issues of mutual interests pertaining to bilateral, regional and international domains. Covid-19 pandemic and avenues of Indian assistance in this field was also discussed, sources said.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar re-affirmed India's support for FMAS candidacy as the President of 76th UN General Assembly.

The two Ministers, according to sources, also expressed satisfaction with growing number of Indian tourists visiting Maldives, which is aiding Maldivian economy in these difficult times.

Under the bilateral air bubble arrangement, India is already the number one tourist market for Maldives with Indian tourists occupying 23% of international tourist arrivals in Maldives.

The Ministers also reviewed the status of ongoing India assisted projects in Maldives. Currently, India is developing projects of $2bn spanning across large infrastructure such as ports, roads, bridges, water and sanitation, as well as socio-economic development directly impacting livelihoods of Maldivians.

Both Ministers also exchanged views on international organizations including UN, OIC, Commonwealth and SAARC and developments of common interest in the region.