Maldives minister in Delhi as FTA with China kicks in

As Maldivian Foreign Affairs Minister Dr Abdulla Khaleel’s arrived in New Delhi on Thursday, the nation announced that the China-Maldives Free Trade Agreement (CMFTA) has come into effect from Wednesday.

Khaleel is on a two-day visit to India, and will meet External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar on Friday. Recently, the ties between the two countries have started flourishing again after Maldives President Mohammed Muizzu’s first bilateral visit to India in October last year.

Earlier, in August last year, following EAM Jaishankar’s visit to Maldives, Muizzu had expressed gratitude for India’s assistance following New Delhi’s rollover of $50 million payment due. Muizzu also declared India as “true friend”.

On the other hand, the CMFTA, which came into effect starting Wednesday, aims to enhance trade volumes, increase exports, increase productive capacity, reduce trade barriers, and create new opportunities for businesses in both Maldives and China, a release from the Maldives’ Ministry of Economic Development and Trade said. - TNS/PTI