The Maldives and India are currently in discussions to sign a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and an investment treaty, Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri has confirmed.
The announcement comes ahead of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s upcoming state visit to the Maldives, scheduled from July 25 to 26, at the invitation of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu.
Speaking about the visit, Foreign Secretary Vikram stated that talks are ongoing to finalize the FTA before Prime Minister Modi’s arrival. He added that the visit will focus on strengthening bilateral cooperation across several key areas, including renewable energy, fisheries, and infrastructure development.
Vikram highlighted that the two nations currently maintain trade and investment ties worth approximately USD 500 million (MVR 7.7 billion) and are actively exploring opportunities to expand cooperation into new sectors.
He also noted that the Maldives has been a major beneficiary of India’s capacity-building and training initiatives and confirmed that additional programs would be introduced to support skill development.
During the visit, Prime Minister Modi is also expected to announce new infrastructure projects, with both countries hoping the trip will further elevate the Maldives–India partnership to a new level.
The announcement comes ahead of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s upcoming state visit to the Maldives, scheduled from July 25 to 26, at the invitation of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu.
Speaking about the visit, Foreign Secretary Vikram stated that talks are ongoing to finalize the FTA before Prime Minister Modi’s arrival. He added that the visit will focus on strengthening bilateral cooperation across several key areas, including renewable energy, fisheries, and infrastructure development.
Vikram highlighted that the two nations currently maintain trade and investment ties worth approximately USD 500 million (MVR 7.7 billion) and are actively exploring opportunities to expand cooperation into new sectors.
He also noted that the Maldives has been a major beneficiary of India’s capacity-building and training initiatives and confirmed that additional programs would be introduced to support skill development.
During the visit, Prime Minister Modi is also expected to announce new infrastructure projects, with both countries hoping the trip will further elevate the Maldives–India partnership to a new level.
