ISDS Case Map
Maldives
Maldives Foreign Minister Iruthisham Adam has described bilateral relations with India as “long-standing” and “very close”, signalling a push to accelerate cooperation during her first official visit as minister to Delhi.
The commerce ministry said that India inked terms of reference with countries such as Philippines and the Maldives to start negotiations for free trade agreements.
India and the Maldives are in discussions to negotiate a free trade agreement (FTA) and an investment treaty, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri has said.
The Maldives is moving forward with finalizing a free trade agreement (FTA) with India, despite recent concerns raised by New Delhi about potential revenue losses for the Maldives from similar deals with other nations, particularly China.
India worries about China-Maldives FTA potential impact on Maldives' financial stability and has hinted that this could influence India's future financial aid policy towards the island nation. This comes despite recent financial assistance from India to the Maldives.
India is reconsidering its financial aid to the Maldives after the island nation implemented a free trade agreement with China, leading to potential revenue losses.
The China-Maldives Free Trade Agreement is set to take effect on Jan 1, 2025, China's Ministry of Commerce said in a statement
India and Maldives have started discussions for a free trade agreement, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu said.
The Maldives-Türkiye Free Trade Agreement has been drawn up, Minister of Economic Development and Trade Mohamed Saeed has confirmed. The Preferential Trade Agreement for the FTA was finalised.
If tariffs are eliminated for Chinese goods, Maldives will be forced to import exclusively from China as goods from other countries would not be able to compete against cheaper Chinese goods.
