India Maldives FTA
India, Maldives conculde first round of FTA talks; make progress
This story was originally published at 18:00 IST on 14 July 2026
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NEW DELHI – India has concluded the first round of negotiations for a free trade agreement with the Maldives, making progress towards a broad-based, balanced, and comprehensive deal, the commerce ministry said Tuesday. The negotiations were held between Jun. 29 and Jul. 7, during which the two countries held technical sessions covering eight policy areas.
"Both sides made substantive progress across the negotiating tracks and reached broad convergence on several issues," the commerce ministry said in a release "The proposed FTA is expected to further strengthen bilateral economic and trade relations by enhancing market access, facilitating investment, promoting greater economic cooperation and contributing to sustainable economic growth in both countries," it said.
The two countries had agreed on the terms of reference of the proposed trade agreement in July 2025. India is the second-largest trading partner of the Maldives, and had exported goods worth $459 million in 2025-26 (Apr-Mar) and imported goods worth $313 million.
"As India and the Maldives commemorate 60 years of diplomatic relations, both sides reaffirmed their commitment to expedite the conclusion of the Bilateral Investment Treaty and the Free Trade Agreement," the release said. The two sides also agreed to further deepen cooperation in tourism, startups, digital payments, micro, small, and medium enterprises and trade to unlock new opportunities, the release added. End
US$1 = INR 96.20
Reported by Priyasmita Dutta
Edited by Saji George Titus
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