India, Maldives begin week-long negotiations for free trade agreement
The first round of India-Maldives FTA talks has commenced in virtual mode and will continue until July 7, as the two countries seek to deepen economic ties amid growing bilateral trade
India and Maldives on Monday formally commenced negotiations for a proposed free trade agreement (FTA), according to the Department of Commerce.
The talks are being held in virtual mode and will run from June 29 to July 7, the department said in a statement.
"The Government of India has officially commenced the first round of negotiations for a bilateral Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the Republic of Maldives. The discussions are being conducted in virtual mode and are scheduled from June 29,2026 to July 7, 2026," the department said in a post on X.
More from WorldA free trade agreement (FTA) typically involves two countries reducing or eliminating tariffs on a wide range of goods traded between them to boost bilateral commerce and investment.
Trade between India and the Maldives increased by 13.5 per cent year-on-year to USD 771.76 million in 2025-26, comprising exports worth USD 458.71 million and imports of about USD 313 million, compared with USD 690 million in 2024-25.
India remains the Maldives' largest trading partner and a key supplier of essential goods.
India's imports from the Maldives mainly consist of scrap metals, while its exports include pharmaceuticals, engineering and industrial products such as radar equipment, cement, rock boulders and aggregates, as well as agricultural commodities including rice, spices, fruits, vegetables and poultry products.
The two countries already share a trade relationship under a bilateral trade agreement signed in 1981, which facilitates the export of essential commodities from India to the Maldives.
With inputs from agencies
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