Despite ban, India allows export of rice, onion, wheat to Maldives

Relations between India and Maldives have been very tense for some time. However, Maldives has allowed export of essential goods to India. The commodities that the Indian government has allowed to be exported to Maldives include rice, wheat and onions. The government has currently banned the export of these items. India is a major exporter of rice, sugar and onion. But before the general elections, export of these items was banned to stabilize domestic prices. The central government issued a notification saying that Maldives will be exempted from any present or future restrictions on export of these goods in the new financial year starting from April 1. India has approved export of 1,24,218 metric tonnes of rice, 1,09,162 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 to Maldives. India has also allowed export of 10 lakh tonnes of stone and sand.

Export permission under Neighborhood First policy

India continued to supply sugar and onions to Maldives despite a ban on the export of these items by the Indian government. India is strongly committed to supporting people-centric development in Maldives under the Neighbors First Policy. Construction work is increasing rapidly in Maldives and hence the quota of river sand and stone has been increased by 25 percent to 1,000 metric tonnes. The quota of egg, potato, onion, sugar, rice, flour and pulses has also been increased by five percent.